And Zakariyyâ, Yahyâ, 'Îsâ and Ilyâs: each one of the righteous.
The Qur'an names Zakariyyâ (peace be upon him) among the prophets Allah guided, next to his son Yahyâ.
Those are the ones whom Allah guided, so follow their guidance.
So his story is not only told to you. It is given to you as a guidance to follow.
He was of the Children of Israel. Ibn 'Asâkir traces his line to Sulaymân son of Dâwûd; other lines are given.
The Prophet ﷺ said: Zakariyyâ was a carpenter. A prophet who worked with his hands.
Ibn Kathîr adds: he ate from what his own hands earned, as the prophet Dâwûd did.
And He put her in the care of Zakariyyâ.
Maryam's mother had vowed her child to the house of worship. Allah gave the girl into Zakariyyâ's care.
The Qur'an says pens were cast to decide who would take charge of her (3:44). The charge fell to him.
The Prophet ﷺ called Yahyâ and 'Îsâ maternal cousins: Maryam was family. The exact link is debated.
Each time he entered on her in the mihrâb, he found provision with her. She said: “It is from Allah.”
Ibn Kathîr: fruit out of season. He understood that the One who gives out of season can give a child in old age.
There, Zakariyyâ called upon his Lord. He said: “My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring.
Indeed, You are the Hearer of prayer.”
“There”: in that place, at that moment. A gift seen in someone else woke a hope in him.
Before the whispered prayer, there is a man. Who was Zakariyyâ?
A prophet, a carpenter, and the guardian of a girl named Maryam.
A carpenter, a guardian, a prophet. He saw a gift in someone else and turned at once to his Lord.
Tonight, think of a blessing someone else has, and ask Allah for good for them and for you.