Sura Maryam
19
Introduction of Surah
Maryam is the 19th sura of the Qur’an, named after Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]). It belongs to the Meccan period and comprises 98 verses, 1,192 words, 3,802 letters, and 6 segments. It is the 44th sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura Fatir (The Originator). The sura begins with five Mysterious Letters of the Qur’an. Sura Maryam is one of the longest suras to have a particular rhythmical pattern, with 67 of its 98 verses ending with the same or similar final sound. The Divine Name al-Rahman (The Most Compassionate) has been mentioned 15 times in this sura, referring to the abundant Mercy of Allah Almighty.
Sura Maryam derives its name from a Qur’anic narrative, which spans verses 16–34. This sura narrates the meeting of Archangel Jibril (peace be upon him) with Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]), where Archangel Jibril (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings of the forthcoming virgin birth of her son, Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus Christ [peace be upon him]). This sura narrates the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Prophet ‘Isa (peace be upon him) from his virgin-mother Maryam (peace be upon her). At the time of Prophet ‘Isa’s birth, fresh and ripe dates fell from a dried-out palm trunk, and a stream started flowing at her feet. As a young baby in his cradle, Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus Christ [peace be upon him]) miraculously delivered a speech, declaring himself a prophet who would be blessed with a divinely revealed book.
Sura Maryam also relates the miraculous birth of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist [peace be upon him]) to his elderly father, Prophet Zakariyya (Zechariah [peace be upon him]), and his elderly and barren mother. It is significant that this is the only chapter in the Holy Qur’an named after a woman; Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]). Whereas, Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]) is the only woman mentioned by name in the entire Holy Qur’an. The mentioning of Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]) in this chapter is important, because it represents an intersection of narratives between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]) was born to a priestly Jewish family and she remained dedicated to service in a temple. This denotes Maryam’s importance as an individual to Judaism. At the same time, Maryam was the mother of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus Christ [peace be upon him]); therefore, Maryam (Mary [peace be upon her]) is also a revered figure in Christianity.
Followed by the story of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus Christ [peace be upon him]) and his mother Maryam (Mary [(peace be upon her]), this chapter relates the accounts of Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Musa, Prophet Harun, Prophet Isma‘il and Prophet Idris (peace be upon them). This sura continues to narrate God Almighty’s bestowal of His favour and bounty upon the Prophets (peace be upon them) and their relatives in the form of prophetic children and off-spring. Allah Almighty granted; Prophet Zakariyya (Zachariah) his son Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist [peace be upon both of them]); Maryam (Mary) her son Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus Christ [(peace be upon both of them]); Prophet Ya‘qub (Jacob) his son Prophet Yusuf (Joseph [peace be upon both of them]); Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) his son Prophet Isma‘il (Ishmael [peace be upon both of them]); Prophet Musa (Moses) his brother Prophet Harun (Aaron [peace be upon both of them]). These accounts of God Almighty’s bestowal of Prophetic children and family represent divine gifts by God Almighty to His Prophets (peace be upon them) in compensation for their withdrawal from their people and separation from the world around them. The purpose of relating the accounts of the bestowal of prophetic off-spring is to reject the claims of those who say God Almighty has begotten a son.
The story of Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him) delivers an account of how his prayer was answered by the angels. The sura continues to elaborate the virtues and noble qualities of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) and Prophet ‘Isa (peace be upon him) ever since their childhood. The sura then relates a conversation between Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and Azar about having a firm belief in monotheism. The sura proceeds to describe the mocking behaviour of the disbelievers and deniers of resurrection, their arrogance, and the terrible fate that awaits them on the Day of Resurrection. The chapter concludes with a universal message of the Holy Qur’an, offering glad tidings to the righteous and warning of destruction for those who commit evil.
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the All-Merciful
19:1. Kaf, Ha, Ya, ‘Ayn, Sad.
كهيعص
(Maryam, 19 : 1)
19:26. So eat and drink and cool (your) eyes. Then, if you see any human being, say (to him by gestures): ‘Indeed, I have vowed a fast (of silence) to the Most-Compassionate (Lord), so I shall not speak to any human being today.’
فكلي واشربي وقري عينا فإما ترين من البشر أحدا فقولي إني نذرت للرحمن صوما فلن أكلم اليوم إنسيا
(Maryam, 19 : 26)
19:28. O sister of Harun (Aaron)*! Your father was not an indecent man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman.’
* She was not a biological sister of Prophet Aaron, the brother of Moses. The name of Aaron signified purity and righteousness among the Jews of that time. So the title ‘Sister of Aaron’ meant to indicate that Mary was like Aaron in righteousness, as she was his sibling in purity and virtue. It may also refer to being a pious daughter from the noble lineage of Prophet Aaron.
يا أخت هارون ما كان أبوك امرأ سوء وما كانت أمك بغيا
(Maryam, 19 : 28)
19:58. They are the ones whom Allah has blessed among the prophets from the progeny of Adam, and from (the progeny of) those (believers) whom We carried with Nuh ([Noah] on the Ark), and from the progeny of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isra’il (Jacob), and from (the progeny of) those whom We had guided and chosen. When the revelations of the Most-Compassionate (Lord) were recited to them, they would fall down, prostrating and weeping.
أولئك الذين أنعم الله عليهم من النبيين من ذرية آدم وممن حملنا مع نوح ومن ذرية إبراهيم وإسرائيل وممن هدينا واجتبينا إذا تتلى عليهم آيات الرحمن خروا سجدا وبكيا
(Maryam, 19 : 58)
19:64. And (Jibra’il [Gabriel] said): ‘We do not descend except by the command of your Lord. To Him belongs whatever is before us, whatever is behind us and everything in between. And your Lord is not forgetful.
وما نتنزل إلا بأمر ربك له ما بين أيدينا وما خلفنا وما بين ذلك وما كان ربك نسيا
(Maryam, 19 : 64)
19:71. And there is none of you but will pass over it*. (This is) a decree of your Lord, certainly determined.
* This refers to the bridge extended over Hell, known as ‘al-Sirat.’ Both the believers and the disbelievers will have to cross this bridge. The believers will cross it safely at a speed corresponding to the strength of their faith, whereas the disbelievers and the hypocrites will be unable to cross it and will consequently fall into Hell.
