Maryam (Mary)

Maryam, also known as Mary in the Biblical narrative, is the mother of Isa (Jesus). She has been referred to as many as seventy times in the Quran with great reverence. There is a complete Sura (19) in her name. She was the daughter of Hannah and Imran who led prayers in Bait-ul Muqaddas (Al-aqsa site in Jerusalem). Hannah prayed to God for an offspring as they did not have one. In her prayers, she said to God that if she was blessed with an offspring she would put that offspring to the service of Bait-ul Muqaddas. Her prayer was granted and she gave birth to a female child whom she named Maryam.

After Maryam’s birth, Hannah wanted to fulfil her promise to God without delay and give her daughter to the service to Bait-ul-Muqaddas. She went there and offered her baby to its service. Prophet Zakaria (Zachariah) who was an Imam there expressed his desire to take this child under his care as his wife was Maryam’s maternal aunt. The guardianship of Maryam was decided on the basis of a lottery as there were others also who wished to take her under their guardianship. It was decided that pens will be put afloat in Jordon River and the owner of the pen which did not sink will be given the custody of Maryam. It was found at the end that only Zakaria’s pen floated on the surface of the river. Thus, she grew up in Zakaria’s custody and emerged as an exemplary devotee of God. Whenever Zakaria went to see her, he found that she was well supplied with food. When asked from where she got her food, she told Zakaria that it came from God only. As she grew in years, angel Jibreel told her that she was the Gods chosen one and she would devote herself to the service of God only.

Later, when Maryam got pregnant, she wondered how this could happen as she was not even touched by a man. To save embarrassment, she left for a place near Jerusalem called Bait-ul-Leham (Bethlehem). It was here that Jibreel revealed to her that she would give birth to a male child and he would be called Isa (Jesus) and he would be one of the most blessed ones of God. She was also informed that Isa would speak even while he would be in the cradle. After giving birth to Isa, Maryam returned to Jerusalem with Isa. When asked if someone may be born without a father she said Yes, just as Adam was born of God’s will. Jesus also spoke from his cradle that he was from God and was a prophet with a scripture given to him.

Reference: Bachaoon pairahan kya charagar main dasht-e wahshat mein/Kaheen aise garebaan daaman-e Maryam bhi hote hain (Dagh Dehlavi).

Maryam, also known as Mary in the Biblical narrative, is the mother of Isa (Jesus). She has been referred to as many as seventy times in the Quran with great reverence. There is a complete Sura (19) in her name. She was the daughter of Hannah and Imran who led prayers in Bait-ul Muqaddas (Al-aqsa site in Jerusalem). Hannah prayed to God for an offspring as they did not have one. In her prayers, she said to God that if she was blessed with an offspring she would put that offspring to the service of Bait-ul Muqaddas. Her prayer was granted and she gave birth to a female child whom she named Maryam.

After Maryam’s birth, Hannah wanted to fulfil her promise to God without delay and give her daughter to the service to Bait-ul-Muqaddas. She went there and offered her baby to its service. Prophet Zakaria (Zachariah) who was an Imam there expressed his desire to take this child under his care as his wife was Maryam’s maternal aunt. The guardianship of Maryam was decided on the basis of a lottery as there were others also who wished to take her under their guardianship. It was decided that pens will be put afloat in Jordon River and the owner of the pen which did not sink will be given the custody of Maryam. It was found at the end that only Zakaria’s pen floated on the surface of the river. Thus, she grew up in Zakaria’s custody and emerged as an exemplary devotee of God. Whenever Zakaria went to see her, he found that she was well supplied with food. When asked from where she got her food, she told Zakaria that it came from God only. As she grew in years, angel Jibreel told her that she was the Gods chosen one and she would devote herself to the service of God only.

Later, when Maryam got pregnant, she wondered how this could happen as she was not even touched by a man. To save embarrassment, she left for a place near Jerusalem called Bait-ul-Leham (Bethlehem). It was here that Jibreel revealed to her that she would give birth to a male child and he would be called Isa (Jesus) and he would be one of the most blessed ones of God. She was also informed that Isa would speak even while he would be in the cradle. After giving birth to Isa, Maryam returned to Jerusalem with Isa. When asked if someone may be born without a father she said Yes, just as Adam was born of God’s will. Jesus also spoke from his cradle that he was from God and was a prophet with a scripture given to him.

Reference: Bachaoon pairahan kya charagar main dasht-e wahshat mein/Kaheen aise garebaan daaman-e Maryam bhi hote hain (Dagh Dehlavi).