Mariam (Surah 19)
Mariam (Mary)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah recounts the miraculous stories of the birth of Jesus by the virgin Mary (after whom the sûrah is named) and the birth of John the Baptist to old Zachariah and his elderly, barren wife. Other prophets are cited as recipients of Allah’s favour and grace. Attributing children to Allah (verses 88-95) and denial of resurrection (verses 66-70) are rejected as outrageous and blasphemous. Both the end of this sûrah and the beginning of the next one talk about the purpose of revealing the Quran.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Zachariah’s Prayer
1. Kãf-Ha-Ya-’Aĩn- Ṣãd. 2. (This is) a reminder of your Lord’s mercy to His servant Zachariah, 3. when he cried out to his Lord privately, 4. saying, “My Lord! Surely my bones have become brittle, and grey hair has spread across my head, but I have never been disappointed in my prayer to You, my Lord! 5. And I am concerned about (the faith of) my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So grant me, by Your grace, an heir, 6. who will inherit (prophethood) from me and the family of Jacob, and make him, O Lord, pleasing (to You)!”
Surah 19 - Mariam (Mary) - Verses 1-6
Prayer Answered
7. (The angels announced,) “O Zachariah! Indeed, We give you the good news of (the birth of) a son, whose name will be John—a name We have not given to anyone before.” 8. He wondered, “My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren, and I have become extremely old?” 9. An angel replied, “So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, just as I created you before, when you were nothing!’” 10. Zachariah said, “My Lord! Grant me a sign.” He responded, “Your sign is that you will not (be able to) speak to people for three nights, despite being healthy.” 11. So he came out to his people from the sanctuary, signalling to them to glorify (Allah) morning and evening.
Surah 19 - Mariam (Mary) - Verses 7-11
John’s Noble Qualities
12. (It was later said,) “O John! Hold firmly to the Scriptures.” And We granted him wisdom while (he was still) a child, 13. as well as purity and compassion from Us. And he was God-fearing, 14. and kind to his parents. He was neither arrogant nor disobedient. 15. Peace be upon him the day he was born, and the day of his death, and the day he will be raised back to life!
Surah 19 - Mariam (Mary) - Verses 12-15
Gabriel Visits Mary
16. And mention in the Book (O Prophet, the story of) Mary when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east, 17. screening herself off from them. Then We sent to her Our angel, (Gabriel,) appearing before her as a man, perfectly formed. 18. She appealed, “I truly seek refuge in the Most Compassionate from you! (So leave me alone) if you are God-fearing.” 19. He responded, “I am only a messenger from your Lord, (sent) to bless you with a pure son.” 20. She wondered, “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me, nor am I unchaste?” 21. He replied, “So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me. And so will We make him a sign for humanity and a mercy from Us.’ It is a matter (already) decreed.”