ZACHARIAS asked God for a sign of that miracle, as Abraham did for a sign of resurrection to assure his heart and to give confidence to his mind; and God gave him a sign: ``Your sign is that you shall not speak to people for three days except by signal.''
Allah considered Zacharias request, and for three days without any natural cause or defect, he could not speak to people, while his tongue was busy in mentioning the name of God and celebrating his praise!