He said...

He said, So shall it be; your Lord says; It is easy to Me, and indeed I created you before when you were nothing. (19:7-9) Imam Muhammad al-Baqir is reported to have said, “Yahya born five years after Allah’s revelation.” He said, My Lord! Give me a sign. He said, Your sign is that you will not be able to speak to the people three nights while in sound health.

(19:10) Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiq is quoted in many religious books that Zakariyya had doubt whether it is Allah’s revelation or Satan’s information. For that he asked about the sign from Allah. Allah cleared his doubt by saying, he will not able to speak for three days with anyone while in sound health. When this sign approached upon him, he understood that Allah’s promise was true. Whenever he wanted to say anything to the people, he could not speak but giving the sign by nodding the head.

So he went forth to his people from his place of worship, then he made known to them that they should glorify (Allah) morning and evening. (19:11) Zakariyya says that He was coming out from his place of worship at the time of prayer every morning and evening, and calling people for prayer by reciting the holy verses and when time came of his wife’s delivery, he could not speak with anyone nor could recited any Dua or prayer. Allah says: O Yahya!

Take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while yet a child. (19:12) According to tradition when Allah commanded him, Yahya was three years old. When the other children tried to play with him, Yahya said that he was not born to play and waste time. According to the report of ‘Ali Ibn Asbaat, once he came to Imam Muhammad al-Taqi. Imam Taqi’s height was about 5 feet. ‘Ali Ibn Asbaat thought something about his height.

Imam looked at him and said that Allah, the Creator, sends the messengers not to merely promulgate the divine law but act upon them practically.

Sometimes the Almighty bestowed Prophethood at the age of forty and sometimes in childhood as in the case of Yahya and Allah, the Exalted says in Qur’an, “And tenderness from Us and purity, and he was one who guarded (against evil).” (19:14) Imam Muhammad al-Baqir said that when the Prophet addressed Him ‘Ya Rabbah’ at once Allah replied, “Labbaik” means “I am here, I am always with you, say what do you want”?

In Qur’an, Allah says: “And dutiful to his parents, and he was not insolent, disobedient.