A Third Query on Some
Verses of Surah Aal Imraan
Date: November 07, 1997
First to the clarification of my question about Zacharias' surprise! To begin with it is a very simple question. The question is that first Zacharias prays for upright descendants and then asks God that how can I have a child when I am old and my wife is barren (facts I presume known to him earlier). I think may be I am being too critical here but nonetheless what do you have to say, if anything. Your explanation about the giving of sign has taken some confusion out of this point as well.
NJD (N.J. Dawood) translates 3:41 as, 'Lord,' said
he, 'vouchsafe me a sign.' 'For three days and three nights,' He replied, 'you
shall not speak to any man except by signs..........'
The Reply
Date: November 07, 1997
When one prays to Allah, it is even for such things which seem, apparently impossible to happen. Like Zacharias prayed for a son, at an age where and with a wife through whom, it was apparently impossible to get what was being asked. For even where the road seems closed and nothing but darkness surrounds, Allah can create light and can guide us to an open passage. Nothing is impossible for him.
But then, when such a prayer is materialized, we are surprised... sometimes we are dumbfounded... not because of our disbelief in the omnipotence of Allah, but simply because what we had asked, apparently seemed highly unlikely, if not impossible to happen.
This is what happened in the referred incident, (except that the prophets, because of their close contact with the Beneficent, are not surprised or dumbfounded at their prayers being answered, even if something impossible was asked) with a small difference... the thing that was being prayed for did not yet happen, but the person asking was given a message that whatever was being asked shall be given. Zacharias (MPUH) was obviously very happy at the immediate fulfillment of his prayer, but in his happiness he did not forget that this message may be from his own enthusiastic self or even Satan... thus, the question: "how can I have a child when I am old and my wife is barren" is asked... not in disbelief, but as a confirmation that even under the prevalent conditions, the asked shall be given.
Hope this helps.
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