سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ

Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 38

The Family of Imraan · Medinan · Juz 3 · Page 55

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ ﴿38﴾
At that time Zakariyâ (Zachariya) invoked his Lord, saying: "O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation."
هُنَالِكَ hunālika There only
دَعَا daʿā invoked
زَكَرِيَّا zakariyyā Zakariya
رَبَّهُۥ ۖ rabbahu his Lord
قَالَ qāla he said
رَبِّ rabbi My Lord
هَبْ hab grant
لِى [for] me
مِن min from
لَّدُنكَ ladunka Yourself
ذُرِّيَّةًۭ dhurriyyatan offspring
طَيِّبَةً ۖ ṭayyibatan pure
إِنَّكَ innaka Indeed, You
سَمِيعُ samīʿu (are) All-Hearer
ٱلدُّعَآءِ l-duʿāi (of) the prayer

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 38){هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهٗ:} Zakariya (peace be upon him) had grown old and was still childless, his wife was barren, and apparently, there was no hope for him to have children. However, seeing how Maryam (peace be upon her) was receiving out-of-season sustenance as a miraculous event, he too felt the desire in his heart that the One who provides out-of-season sustenance can also grant children in a state of despair. Thus, right there and at that moment, he prayed to Allah Almighty for righteous offspring. Some scholars have denied that Maryam (peace be upon her) received out-of-season fruits as a miraculous event and have said that it is an idiom that God-conscious people attribute every blessing (min 'indillah) to Allah Almighty. However, Zakariya’s (peace be upon him) expression of amazement and his prayer upon witnessing this state shows that the sustenance was indeed being received as a miraculous event (as a karamah). Please see the incident of Khubayb (may Allah be pleased with him) in the footnote of the previous verse, and the incident of Zakariya (peace be upon him) at the beginning of Surah Maryam.

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.

38. When Zakariya heard Maryam’s reply, he prayed to his Lord: "My Lord! Grant me from Yourself pure and righteous offspring. Surely, You [42] are the Hearer of prayers."

[42] Prophet Zakariya ؑ was childless; he himself was old and weak, and his wife was barren. There was no expectation of having children, as all apparent means were cut off. However, he certainly had the desire for offspring. Upon hearing this answer from Maryam ؑ, it immediately occurred to him that Allah is capable of extraordinary matters beyond the usual means, so why not pray for himself? Perhaps he might attain the honor of acceptance. Thus, as soon as this thought came, he prayed to Allah Almighty for righteous offspring for himself.