The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 45
CH. 3 PT. 3 ĀL-E-‘IMRĀN 41. He said, "My Lord, how shall I have a son, when age has قَالَ رَبِّ أَنِّي يَكُونُ لِي غُلَمُ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ قَالَ كَذلِكَ اللهُ overtaken me, and my wife is يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ barren?' He answered, 'Such is the way of Allah: He does what He pleases. '331 42. "He said, 'My Lord, appoint a token for me. ' He replied, 'Thy Commentary: "19:9, 10. 19:11. The description of Yahya (John) given in the verse, i. e. (noble or great), and (chaste or refrainer from evil passions), and (Prophet) and (righteous), agrees with that given in Luke (1:13-17, 76). In Luke we have, "he (John or Yaḥyā) shall be great in the sight of God. . . he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. . . he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. . . and he shall be called the prophet of the Most High. " The Quran also describes Yaḥyā as one who shall testify to the truth of a word from Allah (3:40). And John came in exact fulfilment of Malachi's prophecy: "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord come" (Mal. 4:5). The Quranic expression in the sense of "concealer of a secret" also points to the above description, for Yaḥyā (John) was the bearer of the hidden news of the coming of Jesus. 331. Important Words: became excited by lust or carnal desire. means, the beverage became strong in its influence upon the head. means: (1) a young man, one whose moustache is growing forth; (2) a son, a male child; (3) a man of middle age; (4) a male slave or servant (Lane). Commentary: Zachariah's question contained in the words, how shall I have a son? implies no disbelief on his part in God's promise, as alleged by the Bible (Luke 1:20). It is simply a spontaneous expression of innocent surprise at the divine promise. It also contains a veiled prayer that he might live long enough to see the child born and grow up into a young man. Zachariah has referred to his old age and the barrenness of his wife to make God's mercy take a practical shape all the more speedily. may كذالك الله يفعل ما يشاء The expression be rendered as: (1) thus Allah does what He pleases; (2) this is really so, but Allah does what He pleases; (3) such is the way of Allah, He does (son) is derived from i. e. he what He pleases. 485