Maryam Bint Imran (Arabic: مريم ), the mother of Jesus (Hazrat Isa), was one of the most righteous women in the Islamic religion. She is the only woman whose name is in the Quran. According to the Quran, Prophet Jesus (Hazrat Isa) was born miraculously by the will of Allah without a father. The Quran gives her attention and importance more than all women. The Quran states that Mary is chosen above all women:
“O Mary, indeed Allah Almighty has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.
{AL QURAN, 3:42}
- Mother: Hannah
- Father: ‘Imran (AS)
- From the lineage of Hazrat Dawud (AS)
- “maidservant of Allah”
- Only woman named in the Qur’an
- Surah 19 is named after her
Birth and Brought up
Before the birth of Maryam(AS) her mother had a wish(Nadhar). That if she would be given a boy so that she could devote him to the service of Baitul-Maqdis (i.e.The Temple of Jerusalem). As the Quran depicts her wish as:
[Mention, O Muhammad], when the Imran’s wife said, “My Lord, surely I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated, so accept this from me. surely, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”
Al Quran 3:35
But against her desire, she was blessed with a baby girl. In Quran Allah narrates her words as:
But when she(mary mother) delivered her, she said, “My Lord, I have given birth a female(Mary).” And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, “And the male is not like the female. And I have named her Maryam(Mary), and I seek refuge for her in You and her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah ].”
[Quran 3:36]
She fulfilled her pledge she had made to Allah Almighty and sent her daughter to temple. Allah accepted her nadhar and provided her with shelter at the home of her aunt’s husband, Prophet Zakariyya(AS).
So her Lord acceded her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zakariyya.
al quran 3:37
Allah provides her with food of all types and specially nonseasonal fruits. One day, Prophet Zakariya(AS) noticed that the girl had in her possession certain provisions(food) for which he could not account. He asked her how she came by the food and she replied:
“It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.”
(Quran 3:37)
The Miracle of Jesus
Time passed and pious woman Maryam bint Imran(AS) grow herself in faith and trust to her true Lord. Allah Almighty passed her through a test. Allah sent tough ordeal through Angel. That was she would be the mother of a boy to whom she would give birth, even though she was unmarried. Quran narrates Her reaction as:
“How can I have a boy while no man has touched me?”
Quran 19:20
The divine command came and poor Mary(AS) surrendered:
“It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter decreed.”}
[Quran 19:21]
Allah Almighty decreed this, and none can ever oppose His decision. So, Maryam fled the mosque for fear of scandal and shame and gave birth to a baby boy in a faraway place. There is great wisdom behind producing this miracle to the people: a righteous, worshipping woman is facing the trial of conceiving without a husband, and the truthful, believing people believe her, whereas the evil-doing disbelievers belie her. Her son(Hazrat Isa), whom Allah has decreed to be born by miraculous manner, was a sign in terms of his creation, character, and the miracles performed through him. He was a mercy for the people both in his time and hereafter, and a trial for those lacking insight who go to extremes with respect to him.
Hazrat Isa son of Maryam testify His mother in infancy. Quran narrates His words as:
“Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive, and dutiful to my mother(Mary), and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is upon me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.”
Quran 19:30-33
Qualities of Hazrat Maryam bint Imran(AS)
Dedicated for Allah (swt)
She fulfilled Her mother nadhar and spent her life in way of Her true Lord. After a while, she went far away from people and her family in order to worship Allah. In addition, She ignored all worldly beauties and devoted herself to Allah. Maryam was keen on worship to her true Lord.
Fulfilling a Promise
Maryam(AS) fulfilled her promises in a perfect way with Allah. The first promise of her mother to spent life in way of Allah and second was of giving birth Hazrat Isa.
Facing societal challenges
She faced a hard trail of facing society after childbirth without father. When everyone raise finger on her character she bore it in the love of Allah. She was a strong character woman and never showed interest in winning her people’s acceptance. Mary had surrendered only to Allah with a pure faith therefore unaffected by negative comments and accusations of her people. She has a perfect example for believers in her character that one should behave in a way that would earn only Allah’s good pleasure.
Tawakkul – having reliance in Allah (swt)
Being alone in great difficulty was a great trial for her because she had no one to support, or help her. But in spite of all this, she did not surrender to helplessness and sadness. She placed all of her hope and trust only in Allah(SWT). Maryam(AS) constantly sought His help and believe that she only needed to obey His guidance. She trusted that He would change all difficulties into good and end the hardship in the best manner. And at the end, Allah gave her a solution, supported her with His grace turned all hardships into goodness.
Piety, Chastity, Faith and Patience
Maryam(AS) was such a perfect lady that she had all goodness in Her. She showed patience on blams and evil moments from people for Allah. Holy Quran says about her”guarded her chastity”, which means that Allah justifies her purity. She was pure in all forms, pure physically, mentally and spiritually. Her unmatchable qualities and strong faith make her role modal for women of all ages.
A Legend
Hazrat Maryam bint Imran is a Legend, who lived a pure life, attain such level in spirituality that Allah called her best of all women. Maryam showed this superior morality and a living invitation to religion through her character, faith, and behaviour. The faith of believers continues to strengthen as they follow Maryam’s example and try to follow her character.
