سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ

Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 89

The Prophets · Meccan · Juz 17 · Page 329

وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ ﴿89﴾
And (remember) Zakariyyâ (Zachariah), when he cried to his Lord: "O My Lord! Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the inheritors."
وَزَكَرِيَّآ wazakariyyā And Zakariya
إِذْ idh when
نَادَىٰ nādā he called
رَبَّهُۥ rabbahu (to) his Lord
رَبِّ rabbi My Lord
لَا (Do) not
تَذَرْنِى tadharnī leave me
فَرْدًۭا fardan alone
وَأَنتَ wa-anta while You
خَيْرُ khayru (are) [the] Best
ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ l-wārithīna (of) the inheritors

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 89) ➊ {وَ زَكَرِيَّاۤ اِذْ نَادٰى رَبَّهٗ … :} This is the ninth story mentioned in this Surah; for its details, see Surah Aal-e-Imran (39 to 41) and Surah Maryam (1 to 15).
{ وَ اَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوٰرِثِيْنَ :} An heir is one who becomes the owner of someone’s property after the owner’s death. The real heir of all is Allah Almighty Himself, as He said: «{ اِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ الْاَرْضَ وَ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا [ مریم : ۴۰ ] “Indeed, We, We alone will be the inheritors of the earth and all who are upon it.” Zakariya (peace be upon him) requested Allah to grant him an heir to his knowledge and prophethood, using Allah’s attribute {’’ خَيْرُ الْوٰرِثِيْنَ ‘‘} as a means. In the supplications mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah, the attribute of Allah is mentioned according to the context of each supplication, as Ayub (peace be upon him) said {’’ وَ اَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوٰرِثِيْنَ ‘‘} and Yunus (peace be upon him) said {’’ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنْتَ سُبْحٰنَكَ ‘‘}. Some commentators have explained this phrase as: I am asking You to grant me an heir, but the true heir is only You; even if You do not grant me children, You will still surely take care of Your religion after me. (Qurtubi)

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.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

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.

And (mention) Zakariya as well, when he called upon his Lord: "My Lord! Do not leave me alone (childless), and You are the Best of inheritors [79]."

[79] The mention of Prophet Zakariya ؑ and his calling upon his Lord for offspring has already been discussed in detail earlier in Surah Aal-e-Imran, verse number 37, and at the beginning of Surah Maryam. The footnotes from there may be consulted.