Zakaria Yahya Abdullah Fattani was the fifth son of Sheikh Yahya bin Abdullah Mohammed Ismail Fattani. He was born in Mecca in the Al-Qushashiyah area, Khardafoushi Alley, in 1938 (1357 AH).

He completed his intermediate and secondary education in schools in Mecca before being sent on a scholarship to the United States of America in 1956 (1376 AH), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. He is considered one of the distinguished Saudi geologists, as noted by the reference publication (Who's Who) of the British Biographical Centre.

His professional career began at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (currently the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources) as an Assistant Director of the Geological Department. He later served as the official in charge of geological missions. Following this, he worked in the Technical Services Department of the Ministry as the Director of Technical Services for several years, also overseeing the Ministry’s fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft (Skyfan). He then progressed in the Ministry to become the Director General of Mineral Resources. He retired from the Ministry in 1996 (1417 AH).

He was married to the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed Sambawa and had three children: Amer, Ammar, and Jihad. He spent most of his time reading, going on exploratory and scientific trips, and traveling.

He passed away at the age of seventy-eight after a sudden illness during a recreational trip on March 19, 2014 (18 Jumada al-Ula 1435 AH). He was buried in the Al-Ma'lat Cemetery (the cemetery of Lady Khadijah) in Mecca. May God have mercy on Zakaria Fattani