90 Preface فَاستَجَبنا لَهُ وَوَهَبنا لَهُ يَحيىٰ وَأَصلَحنا لَهُ زَوجَهُ ۚ إِنَّهُم كانوا يُسارِعونَ فِي الخَيراتِ وَيَدعونَنا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ۖ وَكانوا لَنا خاشِعينَYusuf AliSo We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's1 (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.Aslaha = to improve, to mend, to reform, to make better. Here, with reference to Zakanya’s wife the signification is twofold: (1) that her barrenness would be removed, so that she could become a mother; and (2) her spiritual dignity should be raised in becoming the mother of John the Baptist; and by implication his also, in becoming the father of John.