Interpretation of Sura Maryam (Mary) - Verses 9-10

9. " He said: 'So (it will be)'. Your Lord says: 'It is easy for Me, for indeed I created you aforetime when you were nothing'."

10. " He (Zechariah) said: 'My Lord! appoint for me a sign.' Said He: 'Your sign is that you shall not be able to speak to the people for three nights, though sound (in health)."

Commentary

Allah (s.w.t.) is able to do every thing and every work is easy for Him, as in this verse, He says: "It is easy for Me". In Sura Al-Hadid, No. 57, verse 22 and in Sura At-Ta?qabun, No. 64, verse 7, the words are recited: " …that is easy to Allah"; and in Sura Al-Baqarah, No.2, verses 20 and 106, it is recited: "…Allah is All-powerful over everything"; and in Sura Al-Kahf, No. 18, verse 45 the Qur'an says: "…Allah is omnipotent over everything". Therefore, Zechariah asked Allah how that matter could happen, and He said: "So (it will be)" and Allah (s.w.t.) can strengthen his power in old age to give him offspring.

In other words, Allah is the One Who is able to create all things from aught, and then it is not surprising that He bestows a child upon Zachariah in his old age and in those conditions. The verse says:

" He said: 'So (it will be)'. Your Lord says: 'It is easy for Me, for indeed I created you aforetime when you were nothing'."

By hearing the abovementioned hope-inspiring statement, Zechariah became very happy and encouraged and the light of hopefulness illuminated his entire being, however, since that message was very magnificent and constructive for him, he asked Allah for a sign, as follows:

" He (Zechariah) said: 'My Lord! appoint for me a sign.' …"

No doubt Zechariah believed in Allah's promise, but, in order to be more assured, he asked Him for such a sign. This was similar to Abraham's, way who was certain of the Resurrection, yet he asked to see an aspect of the resurrection in this world in order that his heart would become more certain. Then Zechariah (a.s.) received this answer:

" …Said He: 'Your sign is that you shall not be able to speak to the people for three nights, though sound (in health)."

During those three days and nights Zachariah's tongue (a.s.) could move only for prayers to Allah (s.w.t.) as well as in supplicating unto Him.

This was a clear sign, of course, in that a person would not able to speak with people while his tongue and his body were utterly sound and he could pray and worship to Allah fluently.

In the books of commentaries of Majma'-ul-Bayan, of At-Tabari, and Al-Mizan, it has been said that, at the time of recitation of the Divine communications and the remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.), Zachariah's tongue could utter words fluently and correctly, but when he wanted to use his tongue to speak with people, his tongue remained silent. Of course, Zechariah (a.s.) asked Allah (s.w.t.) for a sign to recognize between right and wrong, and between the divine revelations and satanic delusions. (Tafsir-i-Al-Mizan)

This itself is an evidence to the fact that all our actions are under the Will and device of Allah, so that if He let not we are not able to speak even when we are in a complete health.

Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Maryam" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"