Mary (Maryam)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Kaf- Ha-Ya-'Ain-Sad. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. 1 This is an account of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zechariah 2 When he softly prayed to his Lord. 3 And said: "O my Lord, my bones decay, my head is white and hoary, yet in calling You, O Lord, I have never been deprived. 4 Indeed, I fear my kinsmen who will succeed me, for my wife is barren. Grant me a kinsman 5 who shall be my inheritor and the inheritor of the House of Jacob; and make him, my Lord, well-pleasing.' 6 (Allah said) "O Zakariya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him)." 7 He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?" 8 He said: "So (it will be). Your Lord says; It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!" 9 Zechariah said: "Lord, grant me a Sign." Said He: "Your Sign is that you shall not be able to speak to people for three nights, though you will be otherwise sound." 10 Thereupon he came out of the sanctuary unto his people and signified to them [by gestures]: "Extol His limitless glory by day and by night!" 11 "O John! Hold the Book with all your strength." We had bestowed wisdom upon him while he was still a child; 12 and tenderness from Us and purity, and he was cautious; 13 honoring his parents, being neither arrogant nor rebellious. 14 Peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive! 15