The Holy Qur’an has always affirmed the high status of Assayeda Maryam and her son, Prophet Eissa (as). In Islam, they are loved, cherished, and respected, and they will always be. Assayeda Maryam even has a whole Surah in the Qur’an dedicated to her name, “Surat Maryam”. Her story, as told in many verses in the Qur’an, holds meaningful core lessons that every Muslim should learn from. In Surat Al-‘Imran (3:42), Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says: “O Maryam, (Mary) surely Allah has elected you and purified you and has elected you over the women of the worlds”. Allah (swt) chose her and preferred her over all the women in the world. Allah (swt) has put her through many tests and had favored her like no one else. Here are some of the takeaways from Assayeda Maryam’s inspirational story.
1- Allah answers Du’a
Assayeda Maryam (as) was an answer to Hannah’s Du’a, Prophet ‘Imran’s wife, for a child when she was barren. She saw a bird feeding its baby chick and asked Allah for a child. He (swt) answered her prayers and the moment she knew she was pregnant she vowed to raise her child on worship and service to Allah. In Surat Al-‘Imran (3:35), it is recorded that she said “My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me…”.
2- Provision is from Allah
The Ayahs display how Allah (swt) accepted her and put her in safe hands saying: “so her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of (Prophet) Zakariyya [as]” – Quran 3:37.
Allah (swt) put her in the care of Prophet Zakareya (as), her uncle, where she was brought up to have good manners and taught about Allah. She spent a lot of time in her private room worshipping Allah; she rarely left the room. However, Prophet Zakareya would always find food in her room. It was amazing how she had summer fruits in winter and winter fruits in summer. When she was asked, she would always say “it is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wills without limit.” – Quran 3:37.
She trusted Allah (swt) and delegated her matters to Him, having faith that He (swt) is the Only provider and that whatever happens, she will receive what is destined for her.
3- Allah has infinite capabilities
As mentioned, Assayeda Maryam (as) secluded herself and spent all her time worshipping Allah (swt), until one day Allah (swt) sent Jebril to her, in the form of a man, bearing the news of the arrival of her baby boy, Prophet Eissa. She was amazed! She asked many questions. How could she have a boy when she was not even married?
The answer was quite easy. Allah (swt) willed this… so it happened! There is nothing the Almighty can’t do. Everything is easy for Him, “and We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother a sign, We gave them shelter on a peaceful hillside with flowing water” – Qur’an 23:50.
4- Tests and pain are blessings from Allah
From the moment of her pregnancy, Assayeda Maryam (as) came to face several tests; such as the accusations and lies of the disbelievers, and giving birth alone under a palm tree. The pain was severe, so much so, that it was mentioned in verse 23 of Surat Maryam: “and the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten”.
Throughout all of this pain, Prophet Eissa was born!SubhanAllah, sometimes we don’t know what good lies ahead of us, but we must always trust and thank Allah (swt) for everything that comes our way. He (swt) manages and plans everything with his boundless wisdom and mercy.
Assayeda Maryam’s name was mentioned in the Noble Qur’an 31 times, and in many verses Allah (swt) refers to Prophet Eissa as “Eissa son of Maryam” to eternally commemorate her great sacrifice, love for Allah, and devotion to worship. She never knew that Allah (swt) would honor her story in His Holy Book, for humankind to know and cherish until the end of time!
