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permitted to enter the room except Zachariah.

Mary was very happy there and spent her time worshiping and thanking Allah. At
meal times Zachariah would take food to her, but on many occasions, much to
his surprise, he would find that she had already been given fruit -- not just
seasonal fruit, but fruit which grew out of season. When he asked her where it
came from she replied, 'It is from Allah, truly, Allah provides whomsoever He will
without reckoning.'

Zachariah was so happy with his niece that it made him think. He thought about
Hannah and how despite her age, she had supplicated to Allah for a child and
that He had heard her prayer and given her this lovely child. He realized that
Allah is indeed capable of giving a child even when would-be parents are old,
and he did not have any, so he supplicated to Allah, and Angel Gabriel came to
him with news saying, 'Allah gives you glad tidings of John, who shall confirm the
Word of Allah. He shall be a master and chaste, a Prophet and from the
righteous.' Zachariah asked to be given a sign of this wonderful news, so Gabriel
told him that his sign would be that he would not speak to people except by signs
for three days.