Surah Maryam in Detail Mary |
Written by Nuraz |
Salaam (WRWB). This might be one of the biggest, if not my biggest article ever written. In the Quran there are many Surahs that have names of people. Like for example, Surah Nuh, named after Prophet Nuh (AS), Surah Hud, named after Hud (AS), Surah Yunus, named after Yunus (AS), and even normal men not being a prophet such as Surah Luqman, in the wise man Luqman.
That being said, all the names that I had mentioned are men. The only female named solely by a Surah is Maryam (AS), in Surah Maryam. That alone has to tell you a sign about how significant she was. Before I get into the basics of the Surah, we first must know who Maryam (AS) is from a bird’s eye view.
Maryam (AS) was the “virgin” mother of Isa (AS). When she gave birth to Isa (AS), she was understandably distressed. Being born a baby it has to have a mother and a father. Modern science even proves that. In this case of Isa (AS), only a mother was to be present.
Imagine if something like that happened to you what would you do?? Of course you would panic and fall under extreme pressure. But this is one of the many trials that Allah (SWT) gave to Maryam (AS), and can also give you the answer as to why she holds such a high position in Islam, especially for her gender. She may be argued to be one of the greatest if not greatest women of all Islam by many scholars.
So that being said let us actually dive into this surah.
Surah Maryam is a Makki Surah that has 98 ayats. It is the 19th Chapter in the Quran, coming right after Surah Kahf. This surah’s main message is persecution and steadfastness as it was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) during the times of Early Islam. If there’s one word you can call Early Islam, it’s persecution as the religion wasn’t favored what so ever. This surah’s message has to do with trusting in Allah (SWT), and gives examples of such through some of the stories of the Prophets.
The early ayats express the story of Zakariya (AS) as something we know him for is his child being given to him late in his life. Like really really late. As Allah (SWT) mentions him,
ذِكۡرُ رَحۡمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبۡدَهُۥ زَكَرِيَّآ
Meaning - [This is] a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zechariah. (19:1)
إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيّٗا
Meaning - When he called to his Lord a private supplication. (19:2)
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ ٱلۡعَظۡمُ مِنِّي وَٱشۡتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأۡسُ شَيۡبٗا وَلَمۡ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيّٗا
Meaning - He said, “My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy. (19:3)
وَإِنِّي خِفۡتُ ٱلۡمَوَٰلِيَ مِن وَرَآءِي وَكَانَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتِي عَاقِرٗا فَهَبۡ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيّٗا
Meaning - And indeed, I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me from Yourself an heir. (19:4)
This goes to show the lesson of calling to Allah (SWT). Don’t lie, we’ve all been upset at getting our dua denied from Allah (SWT). And then you have Zakaria (AS) who is in his late 80s into his 90s still begging for a child. As we should take away, that no one and nothing will give us what we want besides Allah (SWT), so we should ask him with full sincerity.
يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنۡ ءَالِ يَعۡقُوبَۖ وَٱجۡعَلۡهُ رَبِّ رَضِيّٗا
Meaning - Who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, pleasing [to You].” (19:5)
As ayats 3-5 show Zakaria (AS)’s supplication to Allah (SWT), as up to this point his wife was unable to produce a heir or a child for Zakaria (AS).
The next ayats would then talk about Allah (SWT) finally giving Zakaria (AS) his child, and truly making him special.
يَٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ ٱسۡمُهُۥ يَحۡيَىٰ لَمۡ نَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبۡلُ سَمِيّٗا
Meaning - [He was told], “O Zechariah, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be John. We have not assigned any before [this] name.” (19:6)
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَٰمٞ وَكَانَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتِي عَاقِرٗا وَقَدۡ بَلَغۡتُ مِنَ ٱلۡكِبَرِ عِتِيّٗا
Meaning - He said, “My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?” (19:7)
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٞ وَقَدۡ خَلَقۡتُكَ مِن قَبۡلُ وَلَمۡ تَكُ شَيۡـٔٗا
Meaning - [An angel] said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, for I created you before, while you were nothing.’ “ (19:8)
This back and forth (call and response) is really beautiful. As it shows the personality and steadfastness of Zakaria (AS), as Allah (SWT) shows his power. As this is a great example of how it's never too late to have your dua’s accepted. As you can make a dua when you're a kid in 5th grade, and have it fulfilled when you're 60 years old. As you would not even realize that your dua all the way in the past was accepted.
So the lesson here being, make dua, keep making dua for what you want.
The next ayats talk about the characteristics of Yahya (AS). Or John the Baptist. We already know with the previous ayats that this name and this boy is special, as Allah (SWT) mentions that this kid is one of a kind with his name. Allah (SWT) then provides,
يَٰيَحۡيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِقُوَّةٖۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلۡحُكۡمَ صَبِيّٗا
Meaning - [Allah] said, “O John, take the Scripture with determination.” And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy. (19:12)
وَحَنَانٗا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةٗۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيّٗا
Meaning - And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah. (19:13)
وَبَرَّۢا بِوَٰلِدَيۡهِ وَلَمۡ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيّٗا
Meaning - And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant. (19:14)
وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡهِ يَوۡمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوۡمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوۡمَ يُبۡعَثُ حَيّٗا
Meaning - And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive. (19:15)
These ayats go over his characteristics, as Allah (SWT) mentions from a young age on how Yahya (AS) was already tested. But Allah (SWT) has blessed him with prophethood and how he was a devoted servant of Allah (SWT) and spread the message, hence with the word choice of “Scripture.”
The next story is about Maryam (AS). As you may notice a common theme with all these stories. More on that later. But a fact you must consider is that all these highly status people are from the same family of Imran.
Maryam (AS) is said to be (uncle by marriage) to Zakaria (AS). And Yahya (AS) is to be the cousin of Isa (AS). But one characteristic that truly made Maryam (AS), the woman with high status, was her steadfastness. This even shocked Zakaria (AS). Mind you, he was a Prophet that was jealous of the privileges of Maryam (AS). The bottomline for all of this is that they are all related.
As going to Maryam (AS), this is the time when she had the task of being a virgin mother. As Allah (SWT) narrates,
وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ مَرۡيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتۡ مِنۡ أَهۡلِهَا مَكَانٗا شَرۡقِيّٗا
Meaning - And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. (19:16)
فَٱتَّخَذَتۡ مِن دُونِهِمۡ حِجَابٗا فَأَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرٗا سَوِيّٗا
Meaning - And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. (19:17)
قَالَتۡ إِنِّيٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيّٗا
Meaning - She said, “Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah.” (19:18)
So now setting up the scene, the next couple of ayats now indicates her test of Isa (AS). As this is one of the most beautiful stories of all
of Islam.
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَٰمٗا زَكِيّٗا
Meaning - He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy.” (19:19)
قَالَتۡ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَٰمٞ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِي بَشَرٞ وَلَمۡ أَكُ بَغِيّٗا
Meaning - She said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” (19:20)
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٞۖ وَلِنَجۡعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةٗ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحۡمَةٗ مِّنَّاۚ وَكَانَ أَمۡرٗا مَّقۡضِيّٗا
Meaning - He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘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 [already] decreed.’ “ (19:21)
۞فَحَمَلَتۡهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتۡ بِهِۦ مَكَانٗا قَصِيّٗا
Meaning - So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. (19:22)
A lot of stuff just happened. As Maryam (AS) was to be given Isa (AS) as a virgin mother. As she hadn’t married a man. And so she was chosen by Allah (SWT), as this is a symbol of power from him, showing nothing is impossible.
Keep in mind she’s far far away from her people. The people related to her have absolutely no idea what is happening to her. So she’s pregnant and she has nobody to help her like a husband, and she’s stranded in the middle of nowhere. The stage of pregnancy alone is painful, but having no aid from anybody and being in the middle of nowhere has to be a different level of pain. Also note, this is in classic times, there is no technology that makes it easy. All childbirth were hard to maintain, and mothers had even passed when giving birth to their child. So she was then given a sign by Allah (SWT) with the palm tree that is to be mentioned in the next set of ayats.
فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلۡمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ قَالَتۡ يَٰلَيۡتَنِي مِتُّ قَبۡلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسۡيٗا مَّنسِيّٗا
Meaning - 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.” (19:23)
فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحۡتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحۡزَنِي قَدۡ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحۡتَكِ سَرِيّٗا
Meaning - But he called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. (19:24)
وَهُزِّيٓ إِلَيۡكِ بِجِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ تُسَٰقِطۡ عَلَيۡكِ رُطَبٗا جَنِيّٗا
Meaning - And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. (19:25)
فَكُلِي وَٱشۡرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيۡنٗاۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡبَشَرِ أَحَدٗا فَقُولِيٓ إِنِّي نَذَرۡتُ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ صَوۡمٗا فَلَنۡ أُكَلِّمَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِنسِيّٗا
Meaning - So eat and drink and be content. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, ‘Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.’ “ (19:26)
This goes to show the power of the dates, in which was served to Maryam (AS) as a blessing to get by, as Allah (SWT) shows his mercy to his devoted servants and comforts Maryam (AS) despite her immense struggles. I had mentioned in my article the “3 D’s of Deen.” I know a corny name for an article. But it shows how powerful dates can be. As it was also consumed by the Prophet (PBUH) and his wife Aisha (AS), quenching their thirst, and sustaining their hunger for weeks. This should remind us that we should be grateful, as any of our hardships isn’t as drastic or truly difficult as Maryam (AS).
The story now goes on, as Maryam (AS) eventually returns to her people. And it gets tense. Note that Isa (AS) has already been born. As one miracle had occurred, the miracles in this story had only just begun. Meaning, there are more miracles.
فَأَتَتۡ بِهِۦ قَوۡمَهَا تَحۡمِلُهُۥۖ قَالُواْ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ لَقَدۡ جِئۡتِ شَيۡـٔٗا فَرِيّٗا
Meaning - Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, “O Mary, you have certainly done something unprecedented. (19:27)
يَـٰٓأُخۡتَ هَٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمۡرَأَ سَوۡءٖ وَمَا كَانَتۡ أُمُّكِ بَغِيّٗا
Meaning - O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.” (19:28)
One note here, you're probably confused as to how Harun (AS) came. Let me explain. Harun (AS) was a righteous man with his well maintained wealth. He is by no means “related” in a sense of blood. As he had lived long ago. But Maryam (AS) is related here in a figurative sense. Emphasizing how she was a person with good character and righteous like Harun (AS). It’s kind of like saying you're fast like an ostrich. Of course you're not related to an ostrich but that’s the point here.
فَأَشَارَتۡ إِلَيۡهِۖ قَالُواْ كَيۡفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِي ٱلۡمَهۡدِ صَبِيّٗا
Meaning - So she pointed to him. They said, “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?” (19:29)
قَالَ إِنِّي عَبۡدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِيَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيّٗا
Meaning - [Jesus] said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. (19:30)
وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيۡنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوۡصَٰنِي بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمۡتُ حَيّٗا
Meaning - And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. (19:31)
وَبَرَّۢا بِوَٰلِدَتِي وَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلۡنِي جَبَّارٗا شَقِيّٗا
Meaning - And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. (19:32)
وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَيَّ يَوۡمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوۡمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوۡمَ أُبۡعَثُ حَيّٗا
Meaning - And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.” (19:33)
ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَۖ قَوۡلَ ٱلۡحَقِّ ٱلَّذِي فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ
Meaning - That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute. (19:34)
Look at the miracle mentioned here, Isa (AS) talking as a baby on a virgin mother’s hands. We’ve heard our parents' story before, about how not until 12-18 months until they had heard our first word. Isa (AS) is here speaking like he’s a natural at it in this situation.
On average, 12-18 months is the amount of time that babies start talking and exercising their first words. “Around 3 months they start ‘cooing ‘ and ‘smiling “, according to some author of a children’s health article.
Now imagine if you were a normal, local townsperson in Maryam (AS)’s village. You’d find it weird and mad strange if this particular person goes away for some time, nobody knows a clue of where she is. And then all of a sudden she comes as a mother, with a newborn baby on her hands without any partner in doing so.
Another thing to note here is, people in other faiths like Christianity imagine that Jesus is the son of Mary, which is true in Islam. But also God would be the father of Jesus, which begins to make doubts. So Allah (SWT) clarifies,
مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٖۖ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥٓۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرٗا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
Meaning - It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is. (19:35)
وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞ
Meaning - [Jesus said], “And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.” (19:36)
These last 2 ayats further prove these people wrong. As for us, a concept of Tawhid is that Allah (SWT) is a deity alone. Meaning he has no partners, siblings, parents, or any wife or children. He is to be worshipped alone. By the way, that is the Shahadah, testifying the belief of Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) talks about the fate of these people. Notice the transition amongst these ayats, as Allah (SWT) proclaims,
فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِهِمۡۖ فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن مَّشۡهَدِ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Meaning - Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved – from the scene of a tremendous Day. (19:37)
أَسۡمِعۡ بِهِمۡ وَأَبۡصِرۡ يَوۡمَ يَأۡتُونَنَا لَٰكِنِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ
Meaning - How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. (19:38)
وَأَنذِرۡهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡحَسۡرَةِ إِذۡ قُضِيَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ وَهُمۡ فِي غَفۡلَةٖ وَهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ
Meaning - And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe. (19:39)
إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَرِثُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَنۡ عَلَيۡهَا وَإِلَيۡنَا يُرۡجَعُونَ
Meaning - Indeed, it is We who will inherit the earth and whoever is on it, and to Us they will be returned. (19:40)
Basically, these sets of ayats talk about the fate of these people, considering them to be in regret and in despair in the Last Day, hence receiving, “Day of Regret” or “The Day of Return”
The next part now talks about Ibrahim (AS). And his story. We already know based on his stories, his father Azar had been an advocate of idol worshipping and not worshipping Allah (SWT). Causing a dispute between father and son. As the next few ayat talk about yet another case of hardship.
وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقٗا نَّبِيًّا
Meaning - And mentioned in the Book [the story of] Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. (19:41)
إِذۡ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعۡبُدُ مَا لَا يَسۡمَعُ وَلَا يُبۡصِرُ وَلَا يُغۡنِي عَنكَ شَيۡـٔٗا
Meaning - [Mention] when he said to his father, “O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all? (19:42)
يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدۡ جَآءَنِي مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعۡنِيٓ أَهۡدِكَ صِرَٰطٗا سَوِيّٗا
Meaning - O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path. (19:43)
يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعۡبُدِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ عَصِيّٗا
Meaning - O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed Satan has ever been, to the Most Merciful, disobedient. (19:44)
This builds up to the tense relationship, as in here Ibrahim (AS)’s father is being warned here by Ibrahim (AS). As this builds up yet another hardship of a high figure.
What differs these people to us, it’s not our power, money, or property. Rather it’s how patient we are and how we handle our tests from Allah (SWT). Imagine if someone you loved was hurting themselves. Like your youngster sibling putting their hand on the stove, whilst you are warning them to stop, but they don't insist and goes with her own way, instead of what’s actually right. This is the case here.
The story continues,
يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٞ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيۡطَٰنِ وَلِيّٗا
Meaning - O my father, indeed I fear that they will touch you with a punishment from the Most Merciful so you would be to Satan a companion [in Hellfire].” (19:45)
قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنۡ ءَالِهَتِي يَـٰٓإِبۡرَٰهِيمُۖ لَئِن لَّمۡ تَنتَهِ لَأَرۡجُمَنَّكَۖ وَٱهۡجُرۡنِي مَلِيّٗا
Meaning - [His father] said, “Have you no desire for my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me for a prolonged time.” (19:46)
قَالَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡكَۖ سَأَسۡتَغۡفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّيٓۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِي حَفِيّٗا
Meaning - [Abraham] said, “Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you, my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me. (19:47)
وَأَعۡتَزِلُكُمۡ وَمَا تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَدۡعُواْ رَبِّي عَسَىٰٓ أَلَّآ أَكُونَ بِدُعَآءِ رَبِّي شَقِيّٗا
Meaning - And I will leave you and those you invoke other than Allah and will invoke my Lord. I expect that I will not be invoked to make my Lord unhappy.” (19:48)
This goes to show the amount of Taqwa these types of people had. Going against their own people, for the sake of Alllah (SWT). Which shows that we should prioritize Allah (SWT) over absolutely anything in this world. Allah (SWT) would then bless him with honorable children, Ismail (AS) and Yaqub (AS).
فَلَمَّا ٱعۡتَزَلَهُمۡ وَمَا يَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَهَبۡنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَۖ وَكُلّٗا جَعَلۡنَا نَبِيّٗا
Meaning - So when he had left them and those they worshiped other than Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and each [of them] We made a prophet. (19:49)
وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهُم مِّن رَّحۡمَتِنَا وَجَعَلۡنَا لَهُمۡ لِسَانَ صِدۡقٍ عَلِيّٗا
Meaning - And We gave them Our mercy, and we made for them a reputation of high honor. (19:50)
This just goes to show of Allah (SWT)’s words, as then Ibrahim (AS) was made as the forefather of the Prophets. The best of people get the best reward. Ibrahim (AS) shows us an example of being steadfastness for the sake of Allah (SWT), ditching everyone and everything in this dunya for his sake. That is worship.
You may notice a common theme within the stories of this Surah.
- They are steadfast
- They strive in the cause of Allah (SWT)
- They all faced huge hardships
The next story talks about the generation after Ibrahim (AS), indicating that they were also in the path of Allah (SWT) and in the right. All the prophets that were chosen from Allah (SWT), like Musa (AS), Harun (AS), and Ismail (AS).
وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ مُوسَىٰٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مُخۡلَصٗا وَكَانَ رَسُولٗا نَّبِيّٗا
Meaning - And mentioned in the Book, Moses. Indeed, he was chosen, and he was a messenger and a prophet. (19:51)
وَنَٰدَيۡنَٰهُ مِن جَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ ٱلۡأَيۡمَنِ وَقَرَّبۡنَٰهُ نَجِيّٗا
Meaning - And We called him from the side of the mount at [his] right and brought him near, confiding [to him]. (19:52)
وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهُۥ مِن رَّحۡمَتِنَآ أَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ نَبِيّٗا
Meaning - And We gave him out of Our mercy his brother Aaron as a prophet. (19:53)
وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِسۡمَٰعِيلَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولٗا نَّبِيّٗا
Meaning - And mentioned in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. (19:54)
وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيّٗا
Meaning - And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing. (19:55)
Allah (SWT) further mentions their status and their significance in the next few ayats.
وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِدۡرِيسَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقٗا نَّبِيّٗا
Meaning - And mentioned in the Book, Idrees. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. (19:56)
وَرَفَعۡنَٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا
Meaning - And We raised him to a high station. (19:57)
This is one of two places where Idris (AS) is mentioned in the Quran. The other being in Surah Ambiya. Now imagine all these righteous figures being mentioned and what status they hold. This surah provides a message with stories of these people to indicate that even if it’s you vs the world, or any number of army, if Allah (SWT) is on your side and wishes you are victorious, you will be the victorious.
Note that the next ayat is a Sajdah Ayat, 1 of 14 in the Quran
أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ ءَادَمَ وَمِمَّنۡ حَمَلۡنَا مَعَ نُوحٖ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَ وَمِمَّنۡ هَدَيۡنَا وَٱجۡتَبَيۡنَآۚ إِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ خَرُّواْۤ سُجَّدٗاۤ وَبُكِيّٗا۩ا
Meaning - Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping. (19:58)
Look at the tale of this ayat. It’s basically a recap of what I had just said. They were the chosen ones by Allah (SWT) to undergo these exams. Another side note is that the term “book” ties with “Scripture”, in the message of Allah (SWT). The holy scripture that we follow is the Quran. But there were other scriptures, like the Zabur, Torah, and Injil all revealed to other prophets. But the Quran serves as the final testament and the final holy scripture.
This is just the half of this Surah, the next portion then gives you polarity in those who believe versus those who disbelieve. Showing the righteousness, who they are.
۞فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ خَلۡفٌ أَضَاعُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِۖ فَسَوۡفَ يَلۡقَوۡنَ غَيًّا
Meaning - But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil – (19:59)
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـٔٗا
Meaning - Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all. (19:60)
In this situation, successors mean us; the people right after these revelations. Denying the message with “pursued desires”. Is that not us? Do we not want fancy clothes, cool looking cars, and all sorts of materialism and invest in worldly matters??? That’s us. But Allah (SWT) shows his mercy to all of us by opening the doors to repent and to join the people of Paradise. As right after Allah (SWT) gives us a brief
description of paradise.
جَنَّـٰتِ عَدۡنٍ ٱلَّتِي وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ عِبَادَهُۥ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ وَعۡدُهُۥ مَأۡتِيّٗا
Meaning - [Therein are] gardens of perpetual residence which the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. Indeed, His promise has been coming. (19:61)
لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغۡوًا إِلَّا سَلَٰمٗاۖ وَلَهُمۡ رِزۡقُهُمۡ فِيهَا بُكۡرَةٗ وَعَشِيّٗا
Meaning - They will not hear any ill speech – only [greetings of] peace – and they will have their provision therein, morning and afternoon. (19:62)
تِلۡكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِي نُورِثُ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا مَن كَانَ تَقِيّٗا
Meaning - That is Paradise, which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were fearing of Allah. (19:63)
Subhanallah. Do you see what paradise is like? There are plenty of adjectives, and scenic choices of words that are used for Paradise, but then comes the true polarity, the disbelievers. The people who disobeyed the commands of Allah (SWT) throughout their lives in the dunya. Allah (SWT) describes,
وَيَقُولُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ أَءِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوۡفَ أُخۡرَجُ حَيًّا
Meaning - And the disbeliever says, “When I have died, am I going to be brought forth alive?” (19:66)
أَوَلَا يَذۡكُرُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ وَلَمۡ يَكُ شَيۡـٔٗا
Meaning - Does man not remember that We created him before, while he was nothing? (19:67)
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحۡشُرَنَّهُمۡ وَٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحۡضِرَنَّهُمۡ حَوۡلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيّٗا
Meaning - So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees. (19:68)
ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمۡ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ عِتِيّٗا
Meaning - Then We will surely extract from every sect those of them who were worst against the Most Merciful in insolence. (19:69)
ثُمَّ لَنَحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ أَوۡلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيّٗا
Meaning - Then, surely it is We, who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein. (19:70)
وَإِن مِّنكُمۡ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَاۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتۡمٗا مَّقۡضِيّٗا
Meaning - And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed. (19:71)
ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّنَذَرُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيّٗا
Meaning - Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees. (19:72)
Notice the tone change from heaven to hell. As Allah (SWT) describes the wrongdoers in the Afterlife to be “on their knees”, pleading for Allah (SWT) to forgive them and to be taken out of the Hellfire. Also indicate that, “The Most Merciful” is an attribute, a title of Allah (SWT) as it’s one of the many. Describing their punishment to be burning into ashes.
The next section of ayats now comes to the revelation of the Quran, a warning for us and the future generations, giving us two sides, the Quran as a clear guidance for all. Allah (SWT) demands,
وَإِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَيُّ ٱلۡفَرِيقَيۡنِ خَيۡرٞ مَّقَامٗا وَأَحۡسَنُ نَدِيّٗا
Meaning - And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidence, those who disbelieve say to those who believe, “Which of [our] two parties is best in position and best in association?” (19:73)
وَكَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا قَبۡلَهُم مِّن قَرۡنٍ هُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ أَثَٰثٗا وَرِءۡيٗا
Meaning - And how many a generation have We destroyed before them who were better in possessions and [outward] appearance? (19:74)
قُلۡ مَن كَانَ فِي ٱلضَّلَٰلَةِ فَلۡيَمۡدُدۡ لَهُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ مَدًّاۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوۡاْ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا ٱلۡعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعۡلَمُونَ مَنۡ هُوَ شَرّٞ مَّكَانٗا وَأَضۡعَفُ جُندٗا
Meaning - Say, “Whoever is in error – let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension [in wealth and time] until, when they see that which they were promised – either punishment [in this world] or the Hour [of resurrection] – they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers.” (19:75)
وَيَزِيدُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱهۡتَدَوۡاْ هُدٗىۗ وَٱلۡبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتُ خَيۡرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابٗا وَخَيۡرٞ مَّرَدًّا
Meaning - And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance, and the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse. (19:76)
Ayat 75 talks about those specific disbelievers who are arrogant, and will believe that the extra passing time they have left is an “extension”, more time to grow their wealth and time, rather than going into the straight path. As they will be humbled on the Day of Judgement where their position is low, Allah (SWT) increases reward and resources for those who were guided, essentially meaning those who had believed in Allah (SWT) and hadn’t sold their souls to the materials of the dunya.
The arrogance of disbelievers is further broken up with their statements, interjections, and Allah (SWT)’s response.
أَفَرَءَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِي كَفَرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالٗا وَوَلَدًا
Meaning - Then, have you seen he who disbelieved in Our verses and said, “I will surely be given wealth and children [in the next life]?” (19:77)
أَطَّلَعَ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ عَهۡدٗا
Meaning - Has he looked into the unseen, or has he taken from the Most Merciful a promise? (19:78)
كَلَّاۚ سَنَكۡتُبُ مَا يَقُولُ وَنَمُدُّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ مَدّٗا
Meaning - No! We will record what he says and extend for him from the punishment extensively. (19:79)
وَنَرِثُهُۥ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأۡتِينَا فَرۡدٗا
Meaning - And We will inherit him [in] what he mentions, and he will come to Us alone. (19:80)
وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةٗ لِّيَكُونُواْ لَهُمۡ عِزّٗا
Meaning - And they have taken besides Allah [false] deities that they would be for them [a source of] honor. (19:81)
كَلَّاۚ سَيَكۡفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمۡ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ضِدًّا
Meaning - No! Those “gods” will deny their worship of them and will be against their opponents [on the Day of Judgement]. (19:82)
Allah (SWT) expresses his frustration with these arrogant disbelievers, further extending their punishment upon their return. As these people think of reward when they’ve neglected Allah (SWT) their whole lives. Their false deities would turn against them, despite so much devotion from these disbelievers to these deities other than Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) again recalls the righteous in comparison to the disbelievers on how Allah (SWT) will respond to them, calling them the ultimate victors, and promised victory to those who believe in him.
يَوۡمَ نَحۡشُرُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ وَفۡدٗا
Meaning - On the Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as a delegation. (19:85)
وَنَسُوقُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرۡدٗا
Meaning - And will drive the criminals to Hell in thirst. (19:86)
لَّا يَمۡلِكُونَ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ عَهۡدٗا
Meaning - None will have [power of] intercession except he who had taken from the Most Merciful a covenant. (19:87)
This showcases a preview to the questioning being done. As all righteous, criminals, and those who disbelieve will be gathered as results will be handed to them. A clear polarity like Allah (SWT) had mentioned 30 ayats ago.
Allah (SWT) yet again dismisses the claim of partners, sons, and siblings to these people and how it is a massive deal for Allah (SWT). Shirk is the worst sin a person can commit and he is referring to them.
وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ وَلَدٗا
Meaning - And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son.” (19:88)
لَّقَدۡ جِئۡتُمۡ شَيۡـًٔا إِدّٗا
Meaning - You have done an atrocious thing. (19:89)
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرۡنَ مِنۡهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلۡجِبَالُ هَدًّا
Meaning - The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. (19:90)
أَن دَعَوۡاْ لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ وَلَدٗا
Meaning - That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. (19:91)
وَمَا يَنۢبَغِي لِلرَّحۡمَٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا
Meaning - And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. (19:92)
إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّآ ءَاتِي ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ عَبۡدٗا
Meaning - There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. (19:93)
Allah (SWT) tells the Prophet (PBUH), the purpose of the message, providing clarification within the message. Note that all the way in the beginning I had that this was revealed during a time when Islam was in its earlier roots. As death threats were whispered, whaling around the corner of the house of the Prophet (PBUH) in Mecca. Allah (SWT) ending it all with a powerful warning, with the example of the previous generations of Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), Isa (AS), etc.
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوۡمٗا لُّدّٗا
Meaning - So, [O Muhammad], We have only made the Quran easy in the Arabic language that you may give good tidings thereby to the righteous and warn thereby a hostile people. (19:97)
وَكَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا قَبۡلَهُم مِّن قَرۡنٍ هَلۡ تُحِسُّ مِنۡهُم مِّنۡ أَحَدٍ أَوۡ تَسۡمَعُ لَهُمۡ رِكۡزَۢا
Meaning - And how many have We destroyed before them of generations? Do you perceive anyone or hear from them a sound? (19:98)
Overall, the message of Surah Maryam is simple. A warning to those who disbelieve as well as those who are righteous. As you can understand why Maryam (AS) was so praised with a high status, for she was steadfastness and obedient to the commands of Allah (SWT) as harsh as they were. Same as Ibrahim (AS) and Zakaria (AS). And so these people were then rewarded with blessed children who would go on to be prophets, and in the hereafter gain an abundant amount of blessings. We should try to strive for righteousness just like them, for it is one of the qualities of the Muhsinoon. These people should be our role models. We should remember Allah (SWT), as he is the most powerful. Salaam (WRWB)