سُوْرَةُ اٰلِ عِمْرٰنَ

Surah Aal-i-Imraan (3) — Ayah 39

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

فَنَادَتْهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى ٱلْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًۢا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ﴿39﴾
Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrâb (a praying place or a private room), (saying): "Allâh gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), confirming (believing in) the word from Allâh [i.e. the creation of ‘Îsâ (Jesus) عليه السلام, the Word from Allâh ("Be!" - and he was!)], noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous."
فَنَادَتْهُ fanādathu Then called him
ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ l-malāikatu the Angels
وَهُوَ wahuwa when he
قَآئِمٌۭ qāimun (was) standing
يُصَلِّى yuṣallī praying
فِى in
ٱلْمِحْرَابِ l-miḥ'rābi the prayer chamber
أَنَّ anna Indeed
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
يُبَشِّرُكَ yubashiruka gives you glad tidings
بِيَحْيَىٰ biyaḥyā of Yahya
مُصَدِّقًۢا muṣaddiqan confirming
بِكَلِمَةٍۢ bikalimatin [of] a Word
مِّنَ mina from
ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
وَسَيِّدًۭا wasayyidan and a noble
وَحَصُورًۭا waḥaṣūran and chaste
وَنَبِيًّۭا wanabiyyan and a Prophet
مِّنَ mina among
ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ l-ṣāliḥīna the righteous

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 39) ➊ {فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلٰٓىِٕكَةُ … : } While he was praying in the place of worship, the angels gave him the glad tidings of a son named Yahya. It is understood from this that a child's name can be given even before birth.
{ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ :} This is the title of ‘Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام. Although every person is created by Allah’s word “Kun” (Be), ‘Isa عليه السلام was given this title as an honor because he was born without a father, just as “Bayt Allah” (House of Allah), “Naqat Allah” (She-camel of Allah), although every mosque and every she-camel belongs to Allah. Yahya عليه السلام was older than ‘Isa عليه السلام, that is why he affirmed ‘Isa عليه السلام.
➌ “{حَصُوْرًا“} refers to a person who has complete control over his sexual desires. (Fath al-Bayan) Some people have interpreted it as someone who cannot approach a woman, but this is neither a virtue nor is it meant here.

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.

39. 1. Upon seeing out-of-season fruits, the desire arose in the heart of Hazrat Zakariya (علیہ السلام) (despite old age and his wife being barren) that perhaps Allah Almighty would also bless him with offspring in the same way. Thus, involuntarily, his hands were raised in supplication to the Divine Court, which Allah Almighty honored with acceptance.

39. 2. The confirmation of Allah's word refers to the confirmation of Hazrat Isa (علیہ السلام), meaning Hazrat Yahya (علیہ السلام) was older than Hazrat Isa (علیہ السلام); both were maternal cousins and both supported each other. The meaning of حصوراً is pure from sins, i.e., did not even go near sins. Some have interpreted it as impotent, but this is not correct because it is a defect, whereas here their mention is in the context of praise and virtue.

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.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).