Overall meaning : Allah Almighty explains how, by His grace and favour, He answered His servant Zechariah’s prayer: ‘Zachariah,’ he was called out, ‘We give you the good news of a boy whose name will be Yahya (John), a name We have given to no one else before.’ ‘My Lord!’ Zechariah exclaimed, ‘How can I have a son when my wife is barren, and I am well-advanced in years?’ He replied, ‘What you have said is absolutely true, but your Lord says: That is easy for Me to do. I did indeed create you even before John when you were nothing at all.’ ‘My Lord,’ Zechariah said, ‘give me a sign that this will happen so that my heart may be set fully at rest.’ ‘Your sign is that for three days and nights,’ He replied, ‘you will find yourself unable to speak to people, though otherwise in perfect health.’ Then he came out to his people from his prayer room and gestured to them to give thanks to Allah by glorifying Him morning and evening.