Local Muslim tradition holds that the ancient monument known as قبر النبي زكريا marks the grave of Nabi Zakariyya (AS), father of Nabi Yahya (AS), in…
Local Muslim tradition holds that the ancient monument known as قبر النبي زكريا marks the grave of Nabi Zakariyya (AS), father of Nabi Yahya (AS), in Jerusalem’s Kidron Valley. The grave stands on the lower western slope of the Mount of Olives, across the valley from Masjid al-Aqsa. It is carved from the surrounding rock and belongs to the ancient funerary landscape extending along the eastern side of al-Quds, adjoining the rock-cut grave complex of Bani Hazir. Nabi Zakariyya and the sanctuary Nabi Zakariyya (AS) was a Prophet among Bani Isra’il and the guardian of Sayyidah Maryam. The Qur’an relates that whenever Nabi Zakariyya (AS) entered her prayer chamber, he found her provided with sustenance. There he called upon Allah for righteous offspring, and the angels announced Nabi Yahya (AS) while Nabi Zakariyya (AS) stood praying in the sanctuary. “Then and there Zachariah prayed to his Lord, saying, ‘My Lord! Grant me—by your grace—righteous offspring. You are certainly the Hearer of ˹all˺ prayers.’ So the angels called out to him while he stood praying in the sanctuary, ‘Allah gives you good news of ˹the birth of˺ John who will confirm the Word of Allah and will be a great leader, chaste, and a prophet among the righteous.’” Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:38–39 Islamic tafsir places this prayer chamber within Bayt al-Maqdis. The grave’s location beside Masjid al-Aqsa therefore connects the local burial tradition with the Qur’anic account of Nabi Zakariyya (AS), Sayyidah Maryam and the birth announcement of Nabi Yahya (AS).