Topics
Zechariah
was the guardian and mentor to Marry. In order to look after the Temples of
Jerusalem and arrangements of the congregation held there, the people of Israel
used to choose noble and righteous people. Because of his piety, righteousness
and virtuous deeds Zechariah was indeed an exalted prophet of God.
And
Zechariah and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous.
(S:
6,V: 85)
By
profession he was a carpenter. When‘ Henna mother of Marry was blessed with a
girl-child, according to her vow, she gave it to the Temple. To appoint a
guardian for that blessed child lots were cast and the name of Zechariah came
out so the child was given into his care. His wife Elisabeth and Henna were
real sisters thus he was an uncle to her as well. Zechariah had no issue
because his wife was barren, so he was pleased to have the custody of Marry all
the more.
He
was one hundred and twenty years of age. Once, in his routine, he visited Marry
and saw off seasoned fruits in her Chamber. He inquired about those fruits and
when she told him that it was the grace of her Lord God. Having heard of God’s
grace for the blessed Marry, Zechariah longed to have a son and he prayed to
God, “Grant me a son virtuous and righteous, indeed you hear the prayers of
those who are indigent.”
Like
every man he, too, had the desire of a son to carry his name and be a heir of
his father’s legacy of preaching the word of God and guide the people of Israel
after his demise. God heard him and acceded to his prayer. And, an angel came
there before and gave him the glad tiding of a son and told him to name him as
John (Yahyah). Zechariah was very pleased to hear this but still to be more
sure of the things he asked, “How would this happen?”
The
angel said, “I told you what I was told I know that God would certainly bless
you with a son, He is Omnipotent and can do whatsoever he may will.”
Zechariah
submitted to God, “Give me a sign to know that the good news is about to come
true.”
God
said, “When you won’t be able to talk for three days and may communicate by
signs but in those days celebrate praises of thy Lord God.”
Thus
when the time came, Zechariah engrossed in worshipping his Lord and he also
signaled his followers to get busy in worshipping. That was welcome news for
the people of Israel as well because the heir of Zechariah’s legacy of
knowledge and wisdom was about to come.
This
is a recital of the Mercy of thy Lord (O His servant Zechariah. Behold! He
cried to his Lord in secret, praying: "O my Lord.’ Infirm indeed are my
bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with gray: but never am I
unblessed, O my Lord in prayer to Thee!" Now I fear what my relatives
and colleagues will do after me: but wife is barren: so give me an heir as
from Thyself one that Will truly represent me, and represent the posterity of
Jacob,‘ and make him, O my Lord! One with whom Thou art well-pleased! ”
His prayer was answered: "O Zechariah! We give thee good news of a son:
HIS name shall be Yahya on none by that name have We conferred distinction
before.”
He
said, “O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and have
grown quite decrepit from old age?” He Said? "So it will be thy Lord Said,
'that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou had been
nothing!
"Zechariah
said: “O my Lord! Give me a Sign.” "Thy Sign," was the answer, Shall
be that thou shall speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not
dumb." So Zechariah came out to his people from him chamber; He told
them by signs to celebrate God ’s praises in the morning and in the evening.
(S:
19,V:2-11)
And
remember Zechariah, when he cried to his Lord: "O my Lord! Leave me not
without offspring, though thou art the best of inheritors. ” So We listened to
him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife 's barrenness for him. They
all were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with
love and ~ reverence, and humble themselves before Us. (S:
21, V : 89-90)
There did Zechariah pray to his Lord, saying:
”O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure: for Thou art He
that hears prayer! While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels
called unto him: "God doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the
truth of a Word from God, and be besides noble, chaste, and a prophet, of the
goodly company of the righteous." He said." ”O my lord! How shall I
have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?" "Thus” was
the answer ”doth God accomplishes what He wills."
He said: "O my Lord! Give me a
Sign!" "Thy Sign,” " Was the answer, "Shall be that thou
shall speak to no man for three days but with signals. Then celebrate the praises
of thy Lord again and again, and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning.” (S: 3,V: 30-41)
Zechariah,
according to God’s directive kept on preaching the righteousness. He pointed
out t heir mistakes and tired to correct them but those who had been misled by
evil amongst his people turned against him and plotted to kill him.
So
much so that they got the king of Judah also involved in their conspiracy and
made him to order the death of Zechariah by stoning him to death.
One
day when he was kneeling down besides alter in the Temple, they ambushed and
killed him by Stoning
“The
time is neigh when you will be afflicted for those whom you killed till
Zechariah and whence you killed Zechariah between the alter and the temple. ” (Gospel Of
Barnabas)
Infertility
is a disease that can be found in males or females. It is basically of two
types: Primary Infertility and Secondary Infertility.
Primary
infertility: when the reproductive organs exist but remain incomplete or
defective. For instance, absence or blockade of oviducts or spermatic cord
and non-formation of sperms and ova etc
Secondary
Infertility: when spermatic count is low, infection in the oviducts, irregular
menstrual cycles, tension and anxiety 0ver aging: when estrogen and
progesterone stop forming normally and/or the shrinking of reproductive
organs in males or females.
In
the story of Zechariah God says, “Lo! We heard him and granted him and cured
his wife for him.” It means that when God acceded to his prayer for grant of
the son, God cured the infertility of his wife besides reactivating the system
of spermatic fluid in him as well.
It
is the law of inducing changes that when attention remains focused on a point
with concentration and deeply, the power of faith becomes active and that what
is desired or willed becomes manifested or comes into being. When one prays in
such a state of mind whence faith or certitude overpowers the doubts and
dubiety, God listens to and grants such prayers.
Prophets of God are those selected people who
have faith in every word they say or any deed they do, so when Zechariah prayed
to God for the son, God acceded to his prayer and gave him the news of a son
and gave him the sign that he would not be able to speak for three days and
three nights and, that he was therefore, -required to concentrate more deeply
upon God, his Lord.
When
Zechariah noticed that sign, he further engrossed in his Lord’s worship and
signaled his followers to do the same.
Remaining
silent for three days and three nights, i.e. observing silence for four
thousand three hundred and twenty minutes, caused the mind of Zechariah to
remain focused upon this one single thought that God will grant me a son, which
means, in other words, his mind kept repeating with faith and certitude that he
was about to become a father. Repetition of this thought gave his age stricken
body warmth needed to partake in procreating a child and his suspended
reproductive system was restored.
When we keep on doing a thing with certitude,
we definitely succeed in it, for the certitude by itself is such an energy that
3 168 us to materialize a thing.
