Prophet Zakariyah’s عليه صلعمwife’s sister had a daughter named Hannah. She was married to Imran, a leader of the Israelites. She was childless but believed that one day Allah would bless her with a child. She prayed that she would offer the child in the service of Allah’s house, in the temple of Jerusalem. Allah
answered and she gave birth to a girl, and again turned to Allah in prayer:
“O my Lord, I have delivered a female child,” and the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast.” (3:36)
*Lesson*
Dua is a very powerful tool and Allah can grant his blessings to anyone he wishes at the allotted time.
*Maryam’s High Status*
Maryam’s father passed away before her birth and thus her uncle, Zakariyah became her guardian. He built a separate room for Maryam in the temple.
As she grew up, she spent her time in devotion to Allah. Zakariyah visited her daily to see to her needs, and so it continued for many years. One day, he was surprised to find fresh fruit, which was out of season in her room. As he was the only person who could enter her room, he asked her how the fruit got there.
She replied that these provisions were from Allah, as He gives to whom He wills. Zakariyah understood by this that Allah had raised Maryam’s status above that of other women.
Thereafter, Zakariyahعليه صلعمspent more time with her, teaching and guiding her. Maryam grew to be a devotee of Allah, glorifying Him day and night.
Ali Ibn Abi Talib narrated that the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The best of the world’s women is Maryam (in her lifetime), and the best of the world’s women is Khadija (in her lifetime).” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
*Maryam Receives News of Isa*
While Maryam was praying in her temple, an angel in the form of a man appeared before her. Filled with
terror, she tried to flee, praying:
“Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.” The angel said: “I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.” She said: “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?” He said: “So (it will be), your Lord said:
“That is easy for me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).'” (19:18-21)
*Lesson*
Nothing is impossible for Allah. He can bless us in ways we cannot imagine.
*The Birth of Isa*
The angel’s visit caused Maryam great anxiety, which increased as the months went by. How could she face giving birth to a child without having a husband? With a heavy heart, she left the temple.
She had not gone far, when she was overtaken by the pains of childbirth. She saw down against a dry palm tree, and here she gave birth to a son. Looking at her beautiful baby, she was hurt that she had brought him into the world without a father. She exclaimed:
“I wish I had died before this happened and
had vanished into nothingness!”
Suddenly, she heard a voice nearby:
“Grieve not, your Lord has placed a rivulet below, and shake the
trunk of this tree, from which ripe dates will fall. So eat and drink and regain the strength you have lost; and be of good cheer, for what you see is the power of Allah, Who made the dry palm tree regain life, in order to provide food for you.” For a while she was comforted by Allah’s miracle, for it was a sure sign of her innocence and purity.
*Lesson*
Eating dates and drinking water during childbirth is the advice given to Maryam from Allah himself. We should also pay heed to that advice to ease labour.
*Maryam Returns to the City with Isa عليه صلعم*
Maryam decided to return to the city. What was she going to tell the people? The baby began to speak:
“If you meet any person say: ‘I have vowed to fast for The Beneficent and may not speak to any human today.'” With this miracle, Maryam felt at ease.
As she had expected, her arrival in the city with a newborn baby in her arms aroused the curiosity of the people. They scolded her: “This is a terrible sin that you have committed.” She put her finger to her lips
and pointed to the child. They asked: “How can we speak to a newborn baby?” To their total amazement, the child began to speak clearly:
“I am Allah’s servant. Allah has given me the Book, and has made me a prophet, and has blessed me wherever I may be, and has enjoined on me prayers and alms giving as long as I live. Allah has made me dutiful towards she who had borne me. He has not made me arrogant nor unblessed. Peace unto me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive.” Most of the people realized that the baby was unique, for if Allah wills something, He merely says “Be” and it
happens. Of course, there were some who regarded the baby’s speech as a strange trick, but at least Maryam could now stay in Nazareth without being harassed.
