Prophet Zakariyyā ﷺ (Zechariah) was an elderly priest from the lineage of Sulaimān ﷺ. He served in the Temple of Jerusalem and was appointed guardian of the young Maryam (Mary). Whenever he entered her chamber, he found miraculous fruits out of season — she said "it is from Allah." This moved him deeply.
Zakariyyā ﷺ was very old and his wife was barren — yet he made a private, heartfelt du'ā to Allah for a righteous heir. Allah answered and sent the angels to announce the birth of Yaḥyā ﷺ — a son unlike any before him. As a sign, Zakariyyā was struck with silence (could not speak) for three days.