When a prophet raised his hands in the dark of night and wept before his Creator, the universe listened.
Hazrat Zakariya ki dua is not merely a supplication it is a living testament to what unshakeable faith looks like when human hope runs thin. He was an elderly man, his wife was barren, his hair had turned white, and yet he turned to Allah with certainty not doubt.
What makes this dua exceptional is that Allah did not just answer it. He preserved it in the Quran for every believer who will ever walk the earth. That means this supplication was written for you too.
Whether you are struggling with infertility, longing for a righteous child, or simply seeking closeness to Allah the story and the words of Hazrat Zakariya carry healing that no medical report can measure.
Who Was Hazrat Zakariya (AS)?
Hazrat Zakariya (AS) known in English as Prophet Zechariah was a noble prophet of Allah from Bani Israel. He was a carpenter by trade and a guardian of Maryam (AS), the mother of Prophet Isa (AS). He served in Baitul Maqdis (the sacred sanctuary in Jerusalem) and was known for his piety, patience, and deep devotion.
Despite his lifelong service to Allah, he and his wife remained childless into old age. Yet this did not make him despair. Instead, it made him supplicate and hazrat zakariya ki dua became one of the most emotionally powerful moments recorded in the entire Quran.
Why Hazrat Zakariya Made This Dua
The Quran tells us that Hazrat Zakariya (AS) used to visit Maryam (AS) in her prayer chamber (mihrab) and consistently found her provided with fresh fruit out of season. When he asked her where it came from, she said it was from Allah.
At that moment, something stirred in his heart. If Allah could provide Maryam with sustenance from the unseen, then surely Allah could grant him a child despite his old age and his wife’s barrenness.
This realisation is what prompted hazrat zakariya ki dua. It was not a casual request. It came after years of worship, after witnessing a miracle, and from a heart that was completely surrendered.
Hazrat Zakariya Ki Dua
Dua 1: From Surah Al-Anbiya (21:89)
(This is the most well-known and directly narrated supplication)
Arabic:
رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِي فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْوَارِثِينَ
Transliteration: Rabbi la tazarni fardan wa anta khayrul waaritheen
Meaning: “My Lord, do not leave me alone (without an heir), and You are the Best of inheritors.”
Source: Surah Al-Anbiya, Ayah 89 Quran
Dua 2: From Surah Maryam (19:4–6)
(Extended supplication with full context one of the most moving passages in the Quran)
Arabic:
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا
Transliteration: Qaala Rabbi inni wahana al-‘azmu minni wash-ta’alar-ra’su shayban wa lam akum bidu’aa-ika Rabbi shaqiyya. Wa inni khiftul-mawaali min wara’i wa kaanatim-ra’ati ‘aaqiran fa-hab li milladunka waliyya. Yarisuni wa yarithu min Aali Ya’qoob waj-‘alhu Rabbi radhiyya.
Meaning: “He said: My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with grey, and I have never been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy (i.e., You have always answered me). And indeed, I fear those who will succeed me after I am gone, and my wife is barren, so grant me from Yourself an heir who will inherit from me and inherit from the family of Yaqub and make him, my Lord, pleasing (to You).”
Source: Surah Maryam, Ayaat 4–6 Quran
Dua 3: From Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:38)
(The private call spontaneous supplication after witnessing Maryam’s miracle)
Arabic:
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ
Transliteration: Hunaalika da’aa Zakariyyaa Rabbahu qaala Rabbi hab li milladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibatan innaka samee’ud-du’aa.
Meaning: “At that point, Zakariya called upon his Lord, saying: My Lord, grant me from Yourself a pure offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.”
Source: Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayah 38 Quran
The Answer to the Dua: The Birth of Yahya (AS)
Allah’s response was immediate and miraculous. The angels called out to Zakariya while he stood in prayer in the mihrab:
Arabic (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:39):
فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ
Transliteration: Fa-naadathu al-malaaikatu wa huwa qaa’imun yusalli fil-mihraabi annal-laaha yubashshiruka bi-Yahya
Meaning: “So the angels called out to him while he was standing in the prayer niche: Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of Yahya.”
Source: Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayah 39
This answer came to a man whose wife was barren and who himself was elderly. It was a miracle and it was the direct result of hazrat zakariya ki dua.
Hazrat Zakariya Dua for Child: What Makes It So Powerful?
When we speak of hazrat zakariya dua for child, several spiritual realities stand out that most people overlook:
1. He prayed in secret (sirran). The Quran specifically mentions in Surah Maryam (19:3) that he called his Lord secretly idh naadaa Rabbahu nidaa-an khafiyya. This shows the depth of sincerity. He was not performing for anyone. He was talking directly to Allah.
2. He acknowledged his own weakness first. Before asking for a child, he spoke of his ageing bones, his white hair, his physical limitations. He presented his vulnerability to Allah before his request. This is a profound etiquette of dua.
3. He did not lose hope despite impossible odds. His wife was barren (‘aaqir), and he was in old age. Yet he said to Allah: “You have never left my prayer unanswered.” That is a statement of experiential faith not blind optimism.
4. His request was for a righteous heir, not just any child. He asked for dhurriyyatan tayyibatan a pure, spiritually elevated offspring. This reflects the Islamic principle that when we ask Allah, we should ask for what is truly beneficial.
How to Recite Hazrat Zakariya Ki Dua
Below is a practical approach for those reciting hazrat zakariya ki dua for a child or any sincere need:
Step 1: Perform wudu (ritual purification). Begin in a state of purity.
Step 2: Offer two voluntary rak’ahs (Salat ul-Hajat). This is a sunnah prayer specifically for those with a need.
Step 3: Begin with praise. Start your dua with praise of Allah and salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Step 4: Recite the duas above particularly Surah Maryam 19:4–6 and Surah Al-Anbiya 21:89. Recite them with understanding, slowly and from the heart.
Step 5: Ask in your own words. Pour out your heart to Allah in whatever language you speak. Allah hears all tongues.
Step 6: Recite in the best times. The last third of the night (Tahajjud time), after Fajr, and between the adhan and iqamah are among the most accepted times of dua.
Step 7: Be consistent and patient. Hazrat Zakariya waited years. Consistency in supplication is itself an act of worship.
Key Lessons From Hazrat Zakariya’s Story
| Lesson | Application |
|---|---|
| Pray in sincerity, not for display | Make your dua private, between you and Allah |
| Acknowledge your weakness before asking | Begin with humility, not demands |
| Never label any dua as “impossible” | Allah has no limits |
| Ask for what is spiritually beneficial | Ask for a righteous child, not just a child |
| Maintain consistency | Continue supplicating through years if necessary |
| Combine dua with gratitude | Praise Allah before and after your request |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Dua
Many people recite hazrat zakariya ki dua but unknowingly reduce its effectiveness through certain habits:
Lack of focus (khushu). Reciting words without engaging the heart diminishes the experience of dua.
Haste for an answer. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The dua of any one of you will be answered as long as he does not become hasty.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6340)
Consuming haram. The Prophet (SAW) warned that consuming unlawful food, clothing, or wealth can be a barrier to accepted dua. (Sahih Muslim)
Praying only in difficulty. Allah loves those who remember Him at all times, not only in hardship.
Read Also: Isha Ki Namaz Ka Tarika
Conclusion
Hazrat Zakariya ki dua is not just a historical account. It is a living invitation from Allah to every believer: bring your most impossible need, lay it at My door with sincerity, and watch what I do.
The Quran preserved this prayer precisely because millions of hearts after Prophet Zakariya (AS) would need it. The man was old. His wife was barren. And yet his prayer was answered with a miracle and then preserved for eternity.
If you are reading this at 3 AM with tears on your face, wondering if Allah hears you the story of Hazrat Zakariya is Allah’s direct answer to that question. He heard an elderly prophet in a dark chamber, thousands of years ago. He hears you now.
Recite this dua with a clean heart, consistent effort, and full trust. Because the One who answered Zakariya’s prayer has not changed. His power has not diminished. And your sincerity if it is true will never go unheard.
? FAQs
Q: Which surah contains hazrat zakariya ki dua for a child?
It appears in three surahs: Surah Maryam (19:4–6), Surah Al-Anbiya (21:89), and Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:38).
Q: How many times should I recite hazrat zakariya ki dua?
No fixed number is prescribed. Recite it consistently after Fajr, Isha, and during Tahajjud.
Q: Can women recite hazrat zakariya dua for child?
Yes, without any restriction. Women may recite it at any time outside of formal salah during menstruation.
Q: Can I read hazrat zakariya ki dua in Urdu or English?
Yes. Arabic is preferred, but dua in any language is permissible according to the majority of scholars.
Q: Did Hazrat Zakariya pray for a child only once?
No. His supplication was continuous and persistent, as indicated by the phrase nidaa-an khafiyya in Surah Maryam.
Q: What is the name of the child granted to Hazrat Zakariya?
Allah blessed him with a son named Yahya (AS), named by Allah Himself. (Surah Maryam, 19:7)
Q: How old was Hazrat Zakariya when Yahya was born?
Classical scholars, including Ibn Kathir, mention approximately 120 years, though narrations vary.