So the angels called out to him while he stood praying in the sanctuary, “Allah gives you good news of ˹the birth of˺ John who will confirm the Word of Allah and will be a great leader, chaste, and a prophet among the righteous.”

˹The angels announced,˺ “O Zachariah! Indeed, We give you the good news of ˹the birth of˺ a son, whose name will be John—a name We have not given to anyone before.” (7) He wondered, “My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren, and I have become extremely old?” (8) An angel replied, “So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, just as I created you before, when you were nothing!’” (9) Zachariah said, “My Lord! Grant me a sign.” He responded, “Your sign is that you will not ˹be able to˺ speak to people for three nights, despite being healthy.” (10) So he came out to his people from the sanctuary, signalling to them to glorify ˹Allah˺ morning and evening. (11)

Likewise, ˹We guided˺ Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elias, who were all of the righteous.

˹It was later said,˺ “O John! Hold firmly to the Scriptures.” And We granted him wisdom while ˹he was still˺ a child, (12) as well as purity and compassion from Us. And he was God-fearing, (13) and kind to his parents. He was neither arrogant nor disobedient. (14) Peace be upon him the day he was born, and the day of his death, and the day he will be raised back to life! (15)

And ˹remember˺ when Zachariah cried out to his Lord, “My Lord! Do not leave me childless, though You are the Best of Successors.” (89) So We answered his prayer, granted him John, and made his wife fertile. Indeed, they used to race in doing good, and call upon Us with hope and fear, totally humbling themselves before Us. (90)