Zakariyya was a prophet at Bayt al-Maqdis and the guardian of Maryam. Whenever he entered her place of worship he found food with her. He would ask: where does this come from? She would say: from Allah; Allah provides for whom He wills without measure.
The sight stirred an old longing in him. He was old and his wife was barren, yet in the quiet of night he called on his Lord in secret:
He asked for an heir who would carry on his heritage and that of the family of Ya'qub, and who would be pleasing to Allah.
The answer came: Zakariyya, We give you good news of a son whose name is Yahya; no one has been named so before. Amazed, Zakariyya said: how shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have reached extreme old age? The answer came: your Lord says it is easy for Him; He created you before, when you were nothing.
As a sign, though in good health he could not speak to people for three nights. He came out of his place of prayer and signalled to them: glorify Allah morning and evening.