Zechariah

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) 

Point to note: 

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.

Law to Influence: 

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.