Surah Maryam — Verse 8

Word Meanings:

• Anná (أنى): How, or from where — expressing wonder and astonishment.
• Ghulām (غلام): A boy, a young male child.
• Āqir (عاقر): Barren, infertile — a woman who cannot bear children.
• ‘Atiyy (عتيًا): The extreme dryness and hardness of bones and joints due to very advanced old age; the pinnacle of senility and frailty.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this noble verse, Prophet Zakariyyā (peace be upon him) responds to the glad tidings of a son with a tone of profound wonder and amazement — not out of doubt in Allah’s power, but out of sheer astonishment at how such a blessing could come to him given his circumstances. He says: *"My Lord, how can I have a boy when my wife has always been barren and I have reached the utmost limit of old age, with my bones withered and my body frail?"*

He presents two seemingly insurmountable obstacles: first, his wife’s lifelong infertility — she had never borne a child; and second, his own extreme old age, where his bones had become brittle and dry, and his strength had completely faded. These were natural causes that made the arrival of a child appear impossible by human standards.

Yet, Zakariyyā’s question was not a rejection of Allah’s promise, but rather an expression of humble amazement — a way of acknowledging that this would be a true miracle, beyond all natural means. It was as if he was saying: "O Lord, by what means will this come to pass, when all apparent causes are absent?" This reflects the beautiful character of a prophet who, despite his deep faith, marvels at the boundless power of his Creator.

A Da‘wah Reflection:

This verse teaches us a profound lesson about hope and trust in Allah. When all doors seem closed, when age has weakened us, when circumstances appear impossible — Allah’s power knows no limits. The story of Zakariyyā reminds us that no situation is too difficult for Allah to change. He who created the heavens and the earth from nothing can easily grant a child to an elderly man and a barren woman.

Dear reader, whatever challenges you face today — whether they seem as impossible as a child for an aged prophet — remember that Allah’s mercy and power transcend all human calculations. Turn to Him with a sincere heart, just as Zakariyyā did, and He will answer you in ways you never imagined. The same Allah who answered His prophet’s prayer after decades of patience is alive, listening, and capable of transforming your situation in an instant. Never lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for His ability to bring forth life from barrenness is a sign for all who reflect.