Here two more of the apostles of great personality have been referred to; namely ZACHARIÄH and YAHYÄ. (JOHN THE BAPTIST)

      ZACHARIÄH and his wife were a true believer couple, who lived in faithful performance of their religious duties. The wife was barren, and they had reached the old age, without having a child. He desired to have a son, so as to train him to continue with his religious works to be done after him; and also to carry on his linage. This was so because he could see no one around him, from among the priests, sincere enough to carry on his religious works as his successor.

      So in a fervent prayer Zachariäh, sincerely, and in a polite manner said to our Lord:ِ

      ``O, My Lord! Leave me not alone and You are the best of inheritors.''

      Allah answered his prayer, and granted him a righteous son an apostle, whom the Christians know as; JOHN THE BAPTIST:ِ

      ``So We answered him, and granted him YAHYÄ, and amended his(BARREN) wife.''

      The Arabic, ``ASLAHA'' translated, ``AMENDED'' means to improve, amend, reform, develop, cure, or made better. Here with the reference to Zachariäh's wife who was barren, we have chosen the word, ``AMENDED'' which may imply that she was cured and prepared for being pregnant.

      The above verses allude to three characteristics for distinguishing the three religious personalities (FATHER, MOTHER & SON) from others:ِ

      1) That they were vying with one another in doing good work.

      2) That they always called Allah with desire and awe.

      3) That they were very humble before Allah.