Surah Maryam

Surah Maryam is a Meccan surah that was revealed nine years before the Hijrah, in the fifth year of Prophethood. Surah Maryam takes its names from verse 16, "Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary. When she withdrew from her family to a place in the East."

Surah Maryam talks about the people of the Book, the Muslim belief in Isa (May Allah be pleased with him), and the relationship between Ibrahim and his father in calling his father to Islam. Surah Maryam, of course, also addresses Maryam, the mother of Isa (May Allah be pleased with her). This is the only surah in the Qur'an that is named after a woman. It shows the honoring of the mother of Jesus in Islam.

Ja'fir ibn Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), was sent to the King of Abyssinia when the persecution of the Muslims had reached its peak. They were seeking protection from the Christian King in the first contact that the Muslim ummah had with the Christian community. Ja'fir Ibn Abi Talib recited Surah Maryam to the King at which point the King drew a line on the ground. He said to Ja'fir Ibn Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with him), 'This is the difference between us" and then refused to turn the Muslims away. This shows how just a king he was, and the comfort that he was able to provide to the Muslims in a time of such great difficulty. We as Muslims today, should remember the kindness of the Christian king to the Muslims and should exercise the same kindness amongst ourselves as well as across the lines of religion. We may have our differences, but kindness is not an issue of religion, it is an issue of humanity.

Similarly in verse 45-47 Allah shows the dialogue between Ibrahim (May Allah be pleased with him) and his father as he tried to bring him to Islam and away from the idol worshipping. Ibrahim (May Allah be pleased with him) invites his father with kindness, he does not curse him or force him. The father of the Prophet responded to him with threats. Prophet Ibrahim answered him by saying "Peace be onto you". This is an example of the type of dialogue that Muslims should engage in between family members and interfaith interactions. Prophet Ibrahim maintained his patience even when being threatened. He listened to what was said and responded in the manner that he knew would be pleasing to Allah, not in a manner of anger or retaliation.

This surah also talks about the struggles of Maryam (May Allah be pleased with her). She had to leave her family and seclude herself from people to pray and devote herself to Allah. It was during this time that she was visited by the angel who informed her she would give birth to a blessed son. Maryam (May Allah be pleased with her) gave birth to the Prophet and Allah gives us a constant reminder through the Qur'an of her status as his mother and that Isa (May Allah be pleased with him) did not have any father. He swt refers to Prophet Isa throughout the Qur'an, as "Isa, the son of Maryam", even when the tradition was to refer to a child by the name of their father, not the mother. In this He swt is also establishing an honorable rank for the mother of Isa (May Allah be pleased with both). As Allah swt explained in surah Al Imran, she is the most honored of women.

Allah swt also emphasizes His Mercy throughout this surah. The name Ar Rahman is mentioned thirteen times in this surah alone, all in the majestic scene. Allah swt is connecting the possession of power and authority with Mercy. We, as people attain positions of authority and allow arrogance to get the better of us. Allah is showing that even though He has power over everything in the world, He shows Mercy in all things.