And when it was as if it was said: What did Zakariya say at that time? It was said: "Thereupon" meaning at that time and that great place of significance, "Zakariya called upon his Lord" as a reminder of what Allah, glorified and exalted is He, had accustomed them to of honor. Thus, the miracles of this guardianship appeared to him. Al-Harali said: When Allah, glorified and exalted is He, made him witness that He breaks His custom for whom He wills by His word regarding his guardian in appearance, the guardian for him in this meaning, he called upon his Lord who had accustomed him to kindness to grant him a child outside of his time just as He granted Mary a provision outside of her time. Therefore, his supplication was necessary. End of quote.

"He said, 'My Lord'" meaning the One who has accustomed me with His kindness, "Grant me from Yourself" Al-Harali said: He requested from the inner matter as Allah, glorified and exalted is He, said: "And We taught him from Us a knowledge" [Al-Kahf: 65] and as He said in it: "And a tenderness from Us" [Maryam: 13]. For everything that is from (ludun) is more internal than (inda). "A progeny" in it implies abundance and a lasting offspring. He was answered with a single child when it was the time of the end in the appearance of the word of the spirit and that he would not have offspring, for he was to live a chaste life due to the predominance of spirituality over his humanity. End of quote.

"Obedient to You" meaning submissive to You, for that is the request of the people of distinction. Then he justified his supplication for the greatest station by saying: "Indeed, You are the All-Hearing of supplication" meaning the One who wills it and answers it. For it is the nature of one who hears - and does not prevent - to answer if he is capable and complete. And the ability has been established by the complete lordship which can only come from the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. Unlike idols and similar things that are worshipped, for they do not hear, and if they heard, they would not be able to respond to what they are asked about because they are dependent. Al-Harali said: The supplicant made known what is for Allah, glorified and exalted is He, regarding answering, and closeness is a means in the acceptance of his supplication - end of quote.