Zakariya (as) is a prime example. As the story goes, every time he would enter the Mihrab or room where Maryam (as) was staying, he would find a little miracle. She would have the fruits of the summer during the winter months and the winter fruits during Summer (See the tafseer of the ayah in 3:37).

He was the only one with the key, the only one with access.

When he asks her where they are from, she responds;

قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

“It is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wills without limit.” (3:37)

He took a lesson from this. Despite him being extremely old (some said around 90 years old) and his wife unable to conceive, he realised that it is actually Allah who is in control. Time, space and all things are subservient to Allah’s command.

Ibn Kathir and others then mention a specific du’a he made;

يا من يرزق مريم الثمر في غير أوانه, هب لي ولدا و إن كان في غير أوانه

‘O, the one who provided fruits to Maryam outside of their time, grant me a child even if it is not in it’s time’.

Whilst he was in prayer with firm certainty in Allah’s power, he was then gifted with the news of Yahya (as)!

We come across many lessons daily. There’s a du’a to say if you see someone afflicted with misfortune. A du’a if someone praises you. A du’a when someone shows kindness to you and so on.

We can become engrossed with our own lives, but sometimes there’s so much to learn from those around us.