Mariam (Surah 19)

Introduction

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.