The family relationship between Prophet Zakariya and Maryam, peace be upon them, has been discussed by scholars in books of Quranic interpretation and Islamic tradition.

Among the well-known views is that Zakariya was the husband of Maryam’s maternal aunt, while another report states that he was married to her sister. What is firmly established in the Quran is that Zakariya was entrusted with the care of Maryam.

Allah says: “And He entrusted her to the care of Zakariya.” [Quran 3:37]

What Was the Relationship Between Zakariya and Maryam?

Scholars mentioned more than one view concerning the family relationship between Zakariya and Maryam, and there is no definitive text establishing every detail of their genealogy.

The View That Zakariya Was Maryam’s Aunt’s Husband

One reported view states that Zakariya’s wife was Ishaaʿ, daughter of Faqoodha, and that she was the sister of Hannah, the mother of Maryam.

According to this account, Zakariya was the husband of Maryam’s maternal aunt. This would also establish a family connection between Yahya and Isa through their mothers.

The View That Zakariya Was Married to Maryam’s Sister

Another report states that Zakariya’s wife was Ishaaʿ, daughter of Imran. According to this view, the relationship between Yahya and Isa was also connected through their mothers.

Scholars mentioned these different accounts when discussing the genealogy of Maryam and the stories of Zakariya, Yahya, and Isa, peace be upon them.

What Does the Night Journey Hadith Say About Yahya and Isa?

In the account of the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey and Ascension, he met Yahya and Isa, peace be upon them, and they were described as maternal cousins.

Some scholars cited this description when discussing the family relationship between the two prophets and the different genealogical reports surrounding their families.

What Was the Relationship Between Yahya and Isa?

According to one of the scholarly views, Yahya was the maternal cousin of Isa in the direct sense.

According to another view, their relationship was also connected through their maternal families, although the precise genealogical details differ between the reports.

What is established is that Yahya and Isa were both prophets among the Children of Israel and that their stories are closely connected in the Quran.

Zakariya Was Entrusted With Maryam’s Care

One of the matters clearly established in the Quran is that Zakariya was responsible for Maryam’s care.

Allah says:

“And He entrusted her to the care of Zakariya.” [Quran 3:37]

The Quran also states that whenever Zakariya entered her chamber, he found provision with her:

“Whenever Zakariya entered her chamber, he found her supplied with provision.” [Quran 3:37]

This highlights the close connection between Zakariya and Maryam in the Quranic narrative and leads into the stories of Yahya and Isa, peace be upon them.

Was Zakariya Maryam’s Maternal Uncle?

It cannot be stated with certainty that Zakariya was Maryam’s biological maternal uncle, because scholars differed over their exact family relationship.

The reported views include that he was the husband of her maternal aunt or the husband of her sister. What is explicitly established in the Quran is that he was entrusted with her care.

Conclusion

Scholars differed regarding the family relationship between Zakariya and Maryam. Among the most well-known views is that Zakariya was the husband of her maternal aunt, while another view states that he was married to her sister.

The Night Journey narration also describes Yahya and Isa as maternal cousins, supporting the existence of a family connection between them through their mothers.

The fact established directly by the Quran is that Zakariya cared for Maryam, and Allah honored her with extraordinary signs. The stories of Zakariya, Yahya, and Isa remain among the profound narratives of the Quran.

Was Zakariya Maryam’s maternal uncle?

Reports state that he was either the husband of her maternal aunt or the husband of her sister, so it cannot be definitively stated that he was her biological maternal uncle.

What was Zakariya’s relationship with Maryam?

One well-known view states that he was the husband of her maternal aunt, while another says he was the husband of her sister.

Were Yahya and Isa maternal cousins?

Yes. They were described as maternal cousins in the narration of the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascension.

Who cared for Maryam?

Prophet Zakariya was entrusted with Maryam’s care, as explicitly stated in the Quran.

Where is Zakariya’s care of Maryam mentioned?

It is mentioned in Surah Aal Imran, where Allah says: “And He entrusted her to the care of Zakariya.”