The Nature of Her Society
According to historical sources, Allah honored Mary, who lived approximately two millennia ago, with the birth of the Prophet Jesus (Peace be upon him).
She was one of the chosen women on Earth as well as in the Hereafter. Born in Roman-occupied Palestine, she was a Jewess and lived in the Jewish community.
Idolatry was Rome’s state religion. The Jews, once a nation preferred by Allah "over all other beings" (Surat Al-Baqarah: 47), had altered His religion, adopted false beliefs, rebelled against Allah’s commands, and were no longer grateful for His gifts to them.
Some of them even martyred the Prophets sent to them by the grace of Allah, because they did not like the commands that these exalted men conveyed. The Qur’an reveals their transgressions:
“We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel and sent Messengers to them. Each time a Messenger came to them with something their lower selves did not desire, they denied some and they murdered others.” (Surat Al-Ma’ida: 70)
Mary was born at an unsettled time, when the Jews’ only hope was their expected Messiah (savior).
Unknown to her, Allah had already determined to choose and raise her for this holy duty. She was central to the Israelites’ expectations, for she would give birth to the Prophet Jesus (Peace be upon him), whom He compliments in the following terms:
“His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, of high esteem in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near. He will speak to people in the cradle and when fully grown, and will be one of the believers.” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 45-46).
Allah chose Mary to represent morality and true religion among her people, who had left the true religion and embraced superstitions and idle speculation.
Allah reveals many aspects of her life, among them her birth and family, the birth of the Prophet Jesus (Peace be upon him), her superior character, and how she resisted her society’s slanders and accusations.
Allah Exalts ‘Imran’s Family
Allah reveals that “Allah chose Adam and Noah, and the family of Abraham and the family of ‘Imran, over all other beings—descendants one of the other…” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 33-34).
In other words, ‘Imran’s family descended from the Prophets Adam (Peace be upon him), Noah (Peace be upon him), and Abraham (Peace be upon him), and they were exalted people.
One of these chosen people was Mary, whose family sincerely believed in Allah, respected the limits that He has established for humanity, and always sought and trusted Him.
Mary’s Birth
When `Imran’s wife, a sincere believer, found out that she was pregnant with Mary, she immediately prayed to Allah. She praised Him and promised that she would dedicate her child to Him. When she gave birth to a girl, she named her Mary, which means abida in Arabic, in other words Allah’s worshipper. Allah reveals her prayer in the following verse:
“Remember when the wife of ‘Imran said: ‘My Lord, I have vowed to You whatever is in my womb, to be devoted [to Your service]. Please accept it from me. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.’ When she gave birth, she said: ‘My Lord! I have given birth to a girl’—and Allah knew very well what she had given birth to, male and female are not the same—‘and I have named her Mary and placed her and her children in Your safekeeping from satan, the accursed.’ ” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 35-36)
The Arabic word muharreren, translated here as devoted [to Your service], means “preoccupied only with the Hereafter and having no interest in the world, in the service of Allah’s temple, worshipping in great devotion, one whose worship is not tainted by worldly aims.”
True freedom can be attained only by serving Allah, surrendering to Him, and freeing oneself from all service to any other beings or values. This is what ‘Imran’s wife prayed for when dedicating Mary to Allah, for she wished her daughter to be someone who served only Allah and who did not seek her people’s or society’s acceptance.
Right after Mary’s birth, her mother turned toward Allah, sought His good pleasure, and asked Him to protect Mary, as well as her children, from satan’s evil. Allah accepted this wholehearted prayer “and made her [Mary] grow in health and beauty” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 37). In other words, Mary received the best upbringing and the most superior character.
Mary’s mother’s wholehearted faith in Allah, acceptance of only Allah as her mentor, constant turning toward Him, and her genuine surrender to Him are very important examples upon which all believers should reflect.
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Allah Commissions the Prophet Zacharia (Peace be upon him) with Educating Mary
Allah gave the Prophet Zacharia (Peace be upon him) sincere faith and exalted him, and guided him to the righteous path.
Allah compliments him and tells us about his devotion, his proper fear and respect of Him, and his superior character:
“And Zacharia, John, Jesus, and Elijah. All of them were among the believers. And Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot. All of them We favored over all beings. And some of their forebears, descendants, and brothers; We chose them and guided them to a straight path.” (Surat al-An’am: 85-87)
The Qur’an reveals that Allah made the Prophet Zacharia (Peace be upon him) responsible for educating Mary. He fulfilled this trust, witnessed the many miracles in her life, and noticed that she was favored over all other people. He saw how Allah’s grace supported her and met all of her needs. For example:
“And Zachaaria became her guardian. Every time Zacharia visited her in the sanctuary, he found food with her. He asked: ‘Mary, how did you come by this?’ She said: ‘It is from Allah. Allah provides for whoever He wills without any reckoning.’ ” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 37)
Mary’s answer to his question testifies to Allah’s grace and providence.
Allah Preferred Mary over All Other Women
Mary was a most devout Muslim who genuinely dedicated herself to our Lord, praised His name, and turned toward Him in prayer constantly throughout her life. Just as Allah chose ‘Imran’s family above all others, He chose Mary and ensured that she would be educated in the best manner, purified from all wickedness, and preferred above all other women. Allah relates her superiority:
“And when the angels said: ‘Mary, Allah has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you over all other women. Mary, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow.’ ” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 42-43)
Mary’s Exemplary Chastity
Mary, like the rest of her family, was known among her people for her devotion to Allah as well as her religiosity, chastity, and sincerity. Allah speaks of her as someone obedient to Him.
“And Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity—We breathed Our Spirit into her. She confirmed the Words of her Lord and His Book, and was one of the obedient.” (Surat at-Tahrim: 12)
“… and she who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her some of Our Spirit and made her and her son a Sign for all the worlds.” (Surat al-Anbiya’: 91)
Mary Meets Gabriel
Mary experienced many miracles throughout her life. One of these was her meeting with Gabriel. Once, when she left her family and society and went toward the east, she met Gabriel, who appeared to her in the form of a well-built man:
“Mention Mary in the Book, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place and concealed herself from them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her, and it took on for her the form of a handsome, well-built man.” (Surah Maryam: 16-17)
Not knowing who this man was, she sought refuge with Allah and told him that she held Allah in the utmost fear and respect: “She said: ‘I seek refuge from you with the All-Merciful, [leave me] if you have fear [and respect] of Allah.’” (Surah Maryam: 18). Her words clearly demonstrate her complete trust in Allah, as well as the importance she placed upon chastity and devotion to Allah. Her words not only expressed all of this, but also called upon this unknown man to have fear and respect of Allah.
Gabriel introduced himself with the following words: “I am only your Lord’s messenger [an angel] so that He can give you a pure boy.” (Surah Maryam: 19).
As Allah recounts in the Qur’an:
“When the angels said: "Mary, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, of high esteem in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near.” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 45)
Mary replied: “How can I have a boy when no man has touched me and I am not an unchaste woman?” (Surah Maryam: 20), thereby indicating her chastity. Gabriel told her that:
“He [Gabriel] said: ‘It will be so.’ Allah creates whatever He wills. When He decides on something, He just says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is.” (Surah Al ‘Imran: 47)
“He said: ‘It will be so.’ Your Lord says: ‘That is easy for Me. It is so that We can make him a Sign for humanity and a mercy from Us. It is a matter already decreed.’ So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place.” (Surah Maryam: 21-22)
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Mary’s Withdrawal
Allah reveals “So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place” (Surah Maryam: 22). In this distant place to which she retreated, Allah supported her with His grace and protection and met all of her material and psychological needs during her pregnancy.
No doubt, Mary withdrew from her society for many reasons. For example, Allah removed her from her people’s criticism, for they could not understand her miraculous situation. This also enabled her to spend this period in a state of **************ment and peace. Later on, by another miracle, Allah revealed her miraculous circumstances, refuted all of the accusations and slanders directed toward her, and restored her impeccable reputation.
The Prophet Jesus’ (Peace be upon him) Birth and Allah’s Support of Mary
Allah fully supported Mary throughout her pregnancy. It is very difficult for a woman to give birth, a potentially life-threatening experience, all-alone, without medical equipment or a midwife’s assistance. Nevertheless, Mary overcame all of these difficulties by placing her complete trust in Allah.
Allah helped her with revelations while she was struggling toward a date tree in the full throes of labor pains.
Allah told her not to grieve, that He had placed a stream at her feet, and that she should shake the date tree in order to get freshly ripe dates to eat. He also told her to drink and to delight her eyes. As a result, she gave birth in the best possible circumstances. Allah reveals her situation:
“The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: ‘Oh, if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!’ A voice called out to her from under her: ‘Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink, and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: ‘I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and [so] today I will not speak to any human being.’ ” (Surah Maryam: 23-26)
Allah’s grace and protection was clearly visible in this situation. In fact, His advice to her has been confirmed by modern science. We now analyze this advice in some detail.
Do Not Grieve
As stated earlier, Mary withdrew from her society so that she could be in a psychologically peaceful environment and away from the hurtful behavior of people who could not comprehend her miraculous situation.
Allah told her not to grieve and bestowed His grace and protection upon her. No doubt, there was much wisdom in this advice, just as there was in Mary’s withdrawal to a distant place.
Muslims must not surrender to sadness; rather, they are to trust in Allah and feel the peace of mind that comes with knowing that Allah will always help them.
This attitude, which is required of all believers, has been confirmed by modern medicine, for doctors tell women, both during their pregnancy and while they are giving birth, to maintain a positive attitude and avoid any sadness and stress.
His advice to delight her eyes means not to surrender to sadness and to enjoy the news of Allah’s gift.
