[3]. That is, he will inherit from me and from the family of Jacob the legacy of religious knowledge and prophethood. The inheritance referred to here is not material wealth, for the prophets do not leave behind worldly riches to be inherited. Rather, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“We, the Prophets, do not leave behind inheritance in the form of wealth; what we leave behind is charity.”
Thus, Zakariyyā’s plea was for a righteous heir to continue the mission of Islamic faith, knowledge, and guidance — a successor who would preserve the divine message and serve Allāh in a way that is pleasing to Him.