سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ

Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 7

Mary · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 305

يَـٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا ﴿7﴾
(Allâh said) "O Zakariyyâ (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, whose name will be Yahyâ (John). We have given that name to none before (him)."
يَـٰزَكَرِيَّآ yāzakariyyā O Zakariya
إِنَّا innā Indeed, We
نُبَشِّرُكَ nubashiruka [We] give you glad tidings
بِغُلَـٰمٍ bighulāmin of a boy
ٱسْمُهُۥ us'muhu his name
يَحْيَىٰ yaḥyā (will be) Yahya
لَمْ lam not
نَجْعَل najʿal We (have) assigned
لَّهُۥ lahu [for] it
مِن min before
قَبْلُ qablu before
سَمِيًّۭا samiyyan (this) name

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 7) ➊ {يٰزَكَرِيَّاۤ اِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلٰمٍ اسْمُهٗ يَحْيٰى … :} This glad tiding was given through the angels during the prayer itself. See Surah Al-Imran (39). In this, the virtue of Yahya (peace be upon him) is mentioned in two aspects: first, that his name was given by Allah Himself; second, that his name was such that no one before him had this name. In the Arabic language, {’’ يَحْيٰى ‘‘} means "he will remain alive."
➋ From this, it is understood that a child's name can be given even before birth; the instruction to name on the seventh day is the final limit.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

7. 1 Allah Ta’ala not only accepted the supplication but also Himself suggested the name.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

7. (Allah said:) "O Zakariya! We give you good news of a boy whose name will be Yahya. We have not given this name to anyone before him [9]."

[9]
Yahya—A Name Chosen by Allah Himself:

When Allah accepted the prayer and gave the glad tidings of a son, He Himself also chose the name, and such a unique name that no one before had ever been given this name. Yahya is a supplicatory name, meaning "may Allah grant him long life." Just as among us, names like Jeewna or Jeewani are given, and among the Arabs, 'Aish and 'Aisha. Also, the name can be in the sense of an attribute, as in ﴿وللّٰه الاسماء الحسنيٰ﴾, which can mean "the best names of Allah" or "the best attributes." In this sense, it would mean that no one before has had such a good character.