While Ibrahim’s (AS) story shows us the long-term vision of parenting, the story of Zakariya (AS) and his prayer for Yahya (AS) shows us something equally important: the urgency of teaching your children. Zakariya (AS) was not a young man when he received the news that he would have a son. He was elderly, past the age when he had ever expected to be a father. Yet when Allah granted him this blessing, he immediately understood what needed to be done. He needed to teach his son and he needed to do it right away. 

The Unexpected Blessing 

Zakariya (AS) called upon Allah in a very personal way. He said, “My Lord, indeed I have become old and my bones have weakened, but I have not been unblessed in my supplication to You” (19:4)¹. He was acknowledging his age, his physical decline and yet his continued faith. Then Allah gave him something unexpected: a son. A young, healthy, strong son who would be born to him despite his advanced age. 

This was not just a personal blessing for Zakariya (AS). This was a gift with a purpose. The son who was born would be Yahya (AS), John the Baptist, who would go on to prepare the way and to be a leader among the people. However, Zakariya (AS) didn’t know this initially. What he knew was that he had a son and he had limited time. The awareness of his age made him acutely aware that he needed to make the most of every moment with this child. 

This is a lesson that applies to every parent, not just the elderly. We all have limited time with our children. They grow and become independent, which means the window for direct influence is finite. Yet how often do we act as if we have all the time in the world? How often do we postpone the difficult conversations, the sincere teaching, the modeling of faith, thinking there will be time later? 

Teaching With Urgency 

Zakariya’s (AS) prayer reveals his sense of urgency. He said, “O my Lord, grant me from You a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication” (3:38)². Notice that he doesn’t ask just for a son; he asks for a “good offspring.” He understands that having a child is one thing; raising a good child is another entirely. Moreover, he is urgent about this because he knows his time is limited. 

After Yahya (AS) is born, Zakariya (AS) is given a sign from Allah: he cannot speak except through signs for three days and nights. This is a meaningful test and a meaningful teaching. During this period when he cannot use words, he is forced to rely on other forms of communication. Perhaps it is a reminder that teaching is not just about words. It is about presence, example and being present with your child even when you cannot articulate everything you want to say. However, the teaching continues. Zakariya (AS) makes another du’aa: “O my Lord, provide for me an excellent dwelling with You and deliver me from the people who are wrongdoers” (23:29)³. Then, crucially, “My Lord, indeed I have become old and my bones have weakened, but I have not been unblessed in my supplication to You” (19:4)¹. He is teaching Yahya (AS) something essential: how to make du’aa, how to depend on Allah, how to maintain faith even in difficulty and old age.

The Priority of Teaching 

What stands out in Zakariya’s (AS) example is that teaching is urgent and central. He doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. He doesn’t wait until his son is older or until he is more stable or until conditions are right. He understands that the opportunity to teach is now and it is precious because it is limited. 

In our time, we often postpone teaching about Islam until children are old enough to understand or until there is a family crisis that makes them receptive or until we ourselves have our own lives in order. That said, Zakariya (AS) teaches us that teaching cannot wait. A parent’s sincere effort to teach their children about Allah, about values, about how to live with integrity, is something that must happen now, with the time you have been given. 

This is why we cannot outsource this responsibility entirely. The Islamic school can help, the local imam can advise and the Quran class can supplement. However, the primary teacher must be the parent. The child must see that their parent considers the teaching of faith to be urgent enough to prioritize, important enough to be present for, valuable enough to require their best effort. 

No Excuses 

One might think that Zakariya (AS) had excuses. He was old, had never been a father before, had not raised children in his youth and had only limited time left on earth. Yet none of these stopped him. He made du’aa, asked Allah for strength, began teaching immediately and modeled faith through his own actions and his own du’aas. 

For us, the excuses are often different but equally unconvincing. I’m too tired; I didn’t grow up with a good Islamic education myself; my children are resistant; my spouse doesn’t support it; I don’t have time right now. However, when we look at the example of Zakariya (AS), we see that these excuses, while real, are not sufficient reason to neglect this essential responsibility. 

Teaching your children about Allah, about the Quran, about how to live as Muslims, is not something that you do when conditions are perfect or when you have extra time. It is something you do now, with what you have, in the time available to you, doing the best you can, making mistakes, trying again and never postponing it indefinitely. 

The Impact of Early Teaching 

When Yahya (AS) was born and Zakariya (AS) began teaching him immediately, the result was someone who would become a life-changing figure in history. Yahya (AS) would become known for his righteousness, his steadfastness, his commitment to teaching others the right way. Much of this foundation was laid by his father in those early years and throughout his childhood. 

This is what is at stake when you teach your children. You are not just helping them pass an Islamic knowledge test. You are potentially laying the foundation for someone who will be righteous, who will stand for truth, who will teach others, who will be a blessing to their family and their community. The urgency that Zakariya (AS) felt was justified. The time you have with your children now, to teach and to model, is some of the most important work you will ever do. 

Want to go deeper into Quranic parenting? Explore Ustadh Nouman’s full Parenting series on Bayyinah TV, designed to help Muslim families raise their children with intention, wisdom and faith. Start your journey today. 

Notes

[1] Al-Quran, 19:4, https://quran.com/maryam/4 ↩

[2] Al-Quran, 3:38, https://quran.com/ali-imran/38 ↩

[3] Al-Quran, 23:29, https://quran.com/al-muminun/29 ↩