Dua of Zakariya (as): Turning Inspiration into Supplication

In this age of everything going viral in seconds, it is hard to keep ourselves away from looking at other people’s lives and comparing ourselves. But we can turn our focus on the Giver who is able to give us the same and even better blessings than those we admire. We can learn this lesson from the story of Zakariya (as) and ask Allah the same way as the dua of Zakariya (as).  

Dua of Zakariya (as): An Example for All of Us 

Prophet Zakariyyah (as) was entrusted with the guardianship of Maryam (as) while she was secluded in her worship and dedication to Allah (swt). At one point, when he came to check on her, he found that she had provisions – fruits that were not in season. His reaction to this is recorded in this beautiful series of verses: 

Allah (swt) says:

Every time Zakariyyah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, ‘O Maryam, from where is this [coming] to you?’ She said, ‘It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.’

At that, Zakariyyah called upon his Lord, saying, 

‘My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.’ 

So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, 

‘Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of Yahya…’ (3:37-39) 

So, this dua of Zakariya (as) is an example for all of us. It teaches us to turn our focus to our creator whenever we feel envious or sad. The dua of Zakariya (as) has beautiful words “You are the Hearer of supplication”. Hearer might seem a common word, but it has a deeper meaning here. It does not only mean Allah hears, it means He listens attentively.

Billions of people might make dua daily at the same time and He is capable of listening to every single one of it attentively. This dua of Zakariya (as) is a ray of hope and healing for all of us. It teaches us to never give up on our little wishes and always turn to Allah even for the tiniest of things. 

Wisdom Behind Dua of Zakariya (as) 

When Zakariyyah (as) saw that Maryam (as) had provisions that seemed to appear out of thin air, and fruits that were not even in season, he was genuinely surprised. But after Maryam said to him,

“Allah provides for whom He wills without account,” 

He turned to Allah (swt) right after and made dua for a son. This dua of Zakariya (as) must have been loved by Allah so dearly that He immediately granted his wish. 

Lesson From the Story of Zakariya (a.s)

Zakariyyah (as) didn’t immediately think, why don’t I have what she has, since I’m also a believer, a worshiper, and even a prophet? or what makes her more special than me?

Instead he saw these provisions as a miracle, and a sign that Allah (swt) is capable of all things. It was at this point that Zakariyyah (as) turned to ask Allah (swt) to bless him with a son, despite his old age and despite his wife’s barrenness. The dua of Zakariya (as) had such a power that Allah granted him his wish there and then. 

When we see people who have things we don’t have – large homes, beauty, loving spouses, children, monetary success – we can do one of two things: 

Drown ourselves in rivers of envy because we don’t have the same. 

Recognize that these blessings are from Allah, and use it as a motivation to ask of Him alone.

The second option is what is best for us, and it is a lesson from the dua of Zakariya (as).

Social Media: The Biggest Source of Envy

I hate to bring up social media, again, but I must. Our exposure to social media means that we are constantly (even if unknowingly) comparing our lives to the lives of others. (Related and relevant: “Comparison is the Thief of Joy”) 

Their blessings are on full display. (I have my own opinions on whether or not some of these displays are Islamically appropriate, but that’s neither here nor there at this point.) The issue at hand is – how do we handle the constant barrage of images showing us how much better someone is doing in life than we are? 

The dua of Zakariya (a.s) tells us that we can have the same blessings that other people have because our Lord is the same-the one and only Allah. So we can make dua to Allah to bless us the same way He blessed other people.

The Muslim fashionistas always seem to have picture-perfect clothes, lives, and relationships. The Instagram moms always seem to have their houses clean and dinner cooked and kids looking presentable and happy (oh, and five DIY projects in the making on the side). The Muslim businesses always seem to be on top great new ideas and turning a significant profit. 

We all know that these images are merely a sliver of what these people’s lives really entail. But that doesn’t diminish the effect that these open displays have on us. 

We easily become envious creatures when we allow our consumption of these things to go unchecked. And get this: we even become envious of people we don’t know, and over things we never even thought we wanted! That’s the most surprising thing of all. 

Even if we place great controls over what we view, we will always see someone somewhere with something “better” than we have. That’s just a reality of existing. What we really have to examine is how we react. 

There was no social media at the time of Zakariya (as) but if it were, the reaction of Zakariya (as) would have been the same. It’s because the Prophets were great people, not ordinary like us. The dua of Zakariya (as) shows us the faith he had in Allah.

The Beauty of Zakariya’s (as) Reaction

Prophet Zakariya (as) saw that Maryam (as) had been blessed with something he never had (an emotion we experience on the daily). His reaction to it, however, was beautiful. He turned to Allah and asked Him to give him a son. Because after all, it wasn’t provisions that he desperately wanted – it was a son to inherit the role of spreading the message of truth to his people.

So when he saw the blessings Maryam (as) had, he was able to redirect his thoughts to the Greatness of Allah (swt), and then to something he actually wanted. He asked Allah (swt) for that thing – and of course, Allah (swt) responded. 

Conclusion: How to Follow the Example of Zakariya (as)

In order to be able to incorporate this attitude into our lives we need to do the following: 

Limit our consumption of other people’s lives. Yes, I know their lives are on display, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy to be constantly watching. (Read this.)

Take the time to develop our goals and our vision. When we become laser-focused on our own development, we won’t lose ourselves in other people’s achievements and blessings. 

Turn to Allah (swt) in dua always, and especially whenever we feel overwhelmed by the blessings of others. 

Turn our attention to those who have less than us, not more, and then take steps to offer help.

May Allah (swt) cleanse our hearts from envy, and allow us to focus on the betterment of ourselves and those who are struggling in our homes and communities. May Allah open our hearts to the dua of Zakariya (as) and allow us to follow the lessons from the story of Zakariya (as).