Surah Maryam, Ayah 15

The Birth of the Boy and His Characteristics

This also implies what is not mentioned, that this promised boy was born and he was Yahya. There is also the implication that Allah taught him the Book, the Tawrah which they used to study among themselves. The Prophets who were sent to the Jews used to rule according to the Tawrah, as did the scholars and rabbis among them. He was still young in age when Allah gave him this knowledge. This is the reason that Allah mentioned it. Because of how Allah favored him and his parents, He says,

ييَحْيَى خُذِ الْكِتَـبَ بِقُوَّةٍ

(O Yahya! Hold fast to the Scripture the Tawrah.) Means, "Learn the Book with strength." In other words, learn it well, with zeal and studious effort.

حَنَانًا Literal meaning of this word is soft heartedness, compassion and mercy, and these qualities were specially granted to Sayyidna Yahya (علیہ السلام) .

It is said that once during John’s childhood, some children asked him to come and play with them. He refused and said, ‘We have not been created for this.’ This shows that from his very childhood he was conscious that life should be purposeful. Sensitive by nature and possessed of a feeling heart, he was free of psychological complexes. He scrupulously fulfilled his duties to his parents and was completely devoid of arrogance or willfulness. These are the qualities that give man the ability never to diverge from the path of God’s Book. It is the possessor of such qualities who is showered with God’s mercy in this world and in the life hereafter.