Prophet Zakariyah (Zechariah)
1st century CE (contemporary of Maryam and the birth of Isa).
Zakariyah (Zechariah) was a prophet and guardian of the Temple. The years had taken their toll; he was now old and bent with age, in his nineties. He was not rich but always ready to help those in need. His one disappointment was that he had no children, for his wife was barren; he feared there was no one after him to carry on his work. During a visit to the temple he went to check on Maryam, who was living in a secluded room; he was surprised to find fresh out-of-season fruit there. She told him it was from Allah. That opened his eyes: could he not ask his Lord to bless him with a child in his old age? He called upon his Lord in secret and was given good tidings of Yahya and the sign of not speaking for three nights. He came out to his people and indicated by signs that they should glorify Allah morning and afternoon.