18.  Select those who were given glad tidings of child birth in their old age by Allah.

                    1. Adam (AS)

                    2. Ibrahim(AS)

                    3. Nuh (AS)

                    4. Zakariya

                    5. Bibi Sarah

                    6. Imran’s wife

                    7. Yaqub (AS)

Answer: Ibrahim (AS), Bibi Sarah and Zakariya

Ibrahim (AS) and Bibi Sarah:

Allah mentioned in the Quran the story of honoured guests of Ibrahim (AS). “Remember when they (Jibreel, Mikayeel and Israfeel in human form as beautiful youths) entered his presence and greeted him with, “Peace!” He replied, “Peace be upon you!”  Then he said to himself, “These are an unfamiliar people.” Then he slipped off to his family and brought a fat roasted calf, and placed it before them, asking, “Will you not eat?” They did not eat, so he grew fearful of them. (51:25 to 27)

And when he saw that their hands did not reach for the food, he became suspicious and fearful of them. (11:70). They reassured him, “Do not be afraid! We are angels sent only against the people of Lot.” And gave him good news of a knowledgeable son.” (15:52 and 53). And his wife was standing by, so she laughed, then We gave her good news of the birth of Ishaq (AS), and, after him, Yaqub (AS). (11:71) She wondered, “Oh, my! How can I have a child in this old age, and my husband here is an old man? This is truly an astonishing thing!” (11:72)

Ibrahim (AS) wondered, “Do you give me good news despite my old age? What unlikely news!” They responded, “We give you good news in all truth, so do not be one of those who despair.” He exclaimed, “Who would despair of the mercy of their Lord except the misguided?” (15:54 to 56). Then his wife came forward with a cry, clasping her forehead in astonishment, exclaiming, “A baby from a barren, old woman!” They replied, “Such has your Lord decreed. He is truly the All-Wise, All-Knowing.” (51:29 and 30).  “Are you astonished by Allah’s decree? May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you, O people of this house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.” (11:73).

2.  Zakariya     

Allah says in Quran, “This is a reminder of your Lord’s mercy to His servant Zakariya” (19:2).

Zakariya was the care taker of Bibi Maryam. Whenever he visited her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He asked, "O Maryam! From where have you got this?" She said, "This is from Allah" Verily Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills without limit (Al-Imran, 3:37).

Inspired by this he called upon in low voice "saying, “My Lord! Surely my bones have become brittle, and grey hair has spread across my head, but I have never been disappointed in my prayer to You, my Lord! And I am concerned about ˹the faith of˺ my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So grant me, by Your grace, an heir who will inherit from me and the family of Jacob, and make him, O  Lord, pleasing to You!” You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation." (19:3 to 6 and 3:38).

Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrab: Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahaya, a name We have not given to anyone before, confirming the word from Allah, noble, chaste and a Prophet among the righteous." (3:39 and 19:7). He said: "O my Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old and my wife is barren? and I have become extremely old?” (19:8) An angel replied, “So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, just as I created you before, when you were nothing!” (19:9) "Thus Allah does what He wills." (3:40)

He said: "O my Lord! Make a sign for me." (19:10). Allah said: "Your sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for 3 days while in sound health, except with signals. And remember your Lord much and Glorify in the afternoon & in the morning." (3:41 and 19:11). Thus Yahaya was born in his old age.