Zechariah’s story, as the father of John the Baptist, is briefly recounted in both the Bible and the Quran, with notable differences between the two accounts. Zechariah, an elderly priest, had long yearned for a child but remained childless. After fervent prayers, the angel Gabriel appeared to him with the news that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. Zechariah’s disbelief led him to ask for a sign, which resulted in him being rendered mute.
The Bible provides a detailed account of Zechariah’s muteness. According to the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah’s inability to speak lasted until the fulfillment of the angel’s prophecy. Luke 1:20 records Gabriel’s words: “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” This implies that Zechariah’s muteness continued until the birth of John the Baptist.
In contrast, the Quran’s account of Zechariah’s muteness is briefer. Surah Maryam 19:10 states: “Zachariah said, ‘My Lord! Grant me a sign.’ He responded, ‘Your sign is that you will not ˹be able to˺ speak to people for three nights, despite being healthy.’” This passage suggests that Zechariah’s silence lasted for only three days and nights.
The Biblical narrative offers more context and detail about Zechariah’s muteness. It shows that he was unable to speak until the prophecy was fulfilled, which aligns with the events surrounding John’s birth. During this time, he did not make any prophecies or prayers, as the Gospel of Luke shows that he could not speak until after John was born. This is evidenced in Luke 1:67-79, where Zechariah’s prophecy upon regaining his voice is recorded.
The Quran, by contrast, does not provide as much detail about the duration or implications of Zechariah’s muteness. The brief mention of the three-day silence in Surah Maryam does not address the full context of the Biblical account, including the period of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and the detailed timeline of events.
The Bible records that Elizabeth concealed her pregnancy for five months, suggesting Zechariah’s muteness extended for at least this period. During this time, Mary visited Elizabeth, and Zechariah, having completed his priestly duties, was present but remained silent. His inability to speak is highlighted when he had to write down the name of his son, John, at the child’s naming ceremony, as detailed in Luke 1:62-63. It was only after this that he regained his voice and prophesied.
In summary, while the Quran offers a brief mention of Zechariah’s muteness, the Bible provides a more detailed account, indicating that Zechariah was mute for a period extending beyond just three days, potentially up to nine months. The Biblical narrative’s extended timeline aligns with the events surrounding John the Baptist’s birth and is supported by detailed contextual evidence.