˹The angels announced,˺ “O Zachariah! Indeed, We give you the

good news of ˹the birth of˺ a son, whose name will be YAHYA—a

name We have not given to anyone before.”

SURAH MARYAM AYAH 7)

1. The expression, کَلِمَۃ اللہ 'a word of Allah' refers to Sayyidna 'Isa (علیہ السلام) .

This term is used for him because he was created, in an unusual manner, simply

by the will and command of Allah - without a paternal linkage.

2. The second quality of Sayyidna Yahya (علیہ السلام) has been described by

the word, حَصُورً 'hasur' translated here as 'abstinent'. It means that he was

very particular about keeping himself shielded from temptations, that is, from

things one habitually enjoys. When we say one abstains from enjoyments of

life, the statement includes abstinence even from fulfilling the desires of things

allowed, for example, good food, good dress and marital life and things like these.

Since the quality of abstinence has been mentioned here in a positive frame

of reference, it obviously seems to suggest that this is the better way, although

ahadith prove the higher merit of living in the bond of marriage. In this situation,

the considered opinion is that one whose condition is similar to that of

Sayyidna Yahya (علیہ السلام) and who is so absorbed in the thought of his

life-to-come that he feels no need to have a wife nor has the time and

frame of mind to fulfil the rights of his wife and children, then, for such

a person this is the better choice. It is because of this particular reason

that ahadith which describe the merit of marriage come up with a restrictive

clause as well, that is, مَنِ استطاع منکم الباءَۃ which means that one who can marry

and is capable of fulfilling the due rights of his wife, should marry, for this

is better for him; otherwise, he is not ad-vised to marry. (Bayern al-Qur'n)