23. THE STORY OF ‘EESA, SON OF MARYAM (PBUT)
Allah, Most High, says, Allah chose Adam, Nooh (Noah), the family of Ibraheem (Abraham) and the family of ‘Imran above Al- ‘Alameen (of their times). Offspring, one of the other, and Allah is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Remember) when the wife of ‘Imran said, “O, my Lord! I have vowed to You what (i.e. the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your Place of worship), so accept this, from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” Then, when she delivered her child, she said, “O, my Lord! I have delivered a female child…” – and Allah knew better what she had delivered – “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan, the outcast.” So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with good acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariyya. Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said, “O, Maryam! From where have you got this?” She said, “This is from Allah.” Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whomever He wills, without limit. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:33-37)
Allah, Most High, describes how He chose Adam (Peace be upon him) and the purest of his progeny, who observed His Law and were resolute in their obedience to Him. Then He made a particular specification, saying, “…the family of Ibraheem.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:33) and He included among them the children of Isma‘eel (Peace be upon him) and the children of Ishaq (Peace be upon him). Then He spoke of the virtue of this pure and noble house, i.e. the family of ‘Imran. The ‘Imran referred to is the father of Maryam (peace be upon her). Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said, “He was ‘Imran, son of Basham, son of Amoon, son of Mansha, son of Hizqiya, son of ’Ahzeeq son of Motham, son of ‘Azariya, son of ’Amsiya, son of Yawash, son of ’Ahzeehoo, son of Yaram, son of Yahfashat, son of ’Aish, son of Aban, son of Rahab‘am, son of Yaram, son of Dawood (peace be upon them).”
Muhammad Ibn Ishaq and others also said that Mary’s mother was unable to conceive. Then one day, she saw a bird feeding its chick and she wanted a child and so she vowed that if she became pregnant, she would surely devote the child to be a servant of Bait Al-Maqdis. It was said that she immediately was afflicted by menses, and that when she became purified from it, her husband was intimate with her and she became pregnant with Maryam (peace be upon her). When she delivered her, she said, “O, my Lord! I have delivered a female child…” – and Allah knew better what she had delivered. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:36) This was also recited in a manner that would mean: “And Allah knows better what I have delivered.” “And the male is not like the female.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:36). That is, regarding service to Bait Al-Maqdis; at that time, they used to pledge their sons to the service of Bait Al-Maqdis.
Her saying: “…and I have named her Maryam.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:36) proves that the naming of a child is done on the day of its birth. Likewise, it has been confirmed in the Saheehain on the authority of Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) that he went with his (newborn) brother to the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), who performed tahneek for his brother and named him ‘Abdullah. It was also mentioned in the Hadith of Al-Hasan from Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) in a marfoo‘ form that: “Every child is held in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah which is sacrificed for him on his seventh day and he is named on it and his head is shaved.” This was narrated by Imam Ahmad and the compilers of the Sunan and it was declared authentic by At-Tirmidhi. In some versions, it was said, “tadmiyyah should be performed on him,” instead of: “he is named.” And Allah knows better. And she said, “…and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan, the outcast.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:36) This supplication was answered by Allah, just as her pledge was accepted. Imam Ahmad narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Every newborn is touched by Shaitan when he is born, causing him to cry out, except Maryam and her son.” Then Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “And recite if you wish: “…and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan, the outcast.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:36).”
Allah, Most High, says, So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariyya. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:37). Many of the scholars of tafseer said that when her mother delivered her, she wrapped her in her garments and went out to the mosque with her. She presented her to the worshippers who lived there and because she was the daughter of their Imam and prayer leader, they vied with one another to be her guardian.
It would appear that she only presented her to them after she had completed breastfeeding her. Then, when she presented her to them, they vied with one another regarding which of them would be her guardian. Zakariyya (Peace be upon him) was their Prophet at that time and he wished to be alone in being her guardian, because his wife was her sister or her maternal aunt, according to two different opinions. But they did not agree to this and so they requested that he allow them to draw lots for her. They did so and Zakariyya (Peace be upon him) was the successful one. This was because a maternal aunt is of the same status as a mother.
Allah, Most High, says, and put her under the care of Zakariyya. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:37) That is, because he defeated them in the drawing of lots, as He, Most High, says, This is a part of the news of the ghaib (Unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We inspire you with (O Muhammad). You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam; nor were you with them when they disputed. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:44) Scholars said that it means that all of them threw their pens, which were recognizable. Then they carried them and placed them in a certain location and ordered a sinless boy to select one of them. He did so and it was the pen of Zakariyya (Peace be upon him). They then requested that they might cast their pens again, but that this time, they might throw them into the river and that whichever of them remained still, in spite of the current, its owner would be Mary’s guardian. It was Zakariyya’s pen that resisted the current. They then requested that they might cast them a third time. This time, they said that whichever pen flowed with the river’s current, while the others flowed in a contrary direction, the owner of that pen would win. They did this, and again, it was Zakariyya (Peace be upon him) who was the winner. So he became her guardian, since he had the greatest right, according to the Divine Law and based on numerous (other) reasons. Allah, Most High, says, Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said, “O, Maryam! From where have you got this?” She said, “This is from Allah.” Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whomever He wills, without limit. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:37) The scholars of tafseer said that Zakariyya (Peace be upon him) appointed for her a noble place in the mosque which none but she could enter. There she used to worship Allah and undertake the duties incumbent upon her, such as acting as caretaker of the mosque, when it was her turn to do so. The days and nights she would spend in the worship of Allah, until her name became a byword for devotion among the Children of Isra’eel. She also became known for the miracles with which she was blessed and for her noble character, to such a degree that, whenever the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya (Peace be upon him), came to see her in her place of worship, he would find with her strange sustenance which was not in season; he would find with her summer fruits in winter and winter fruits in summer. He asked her, “From where have you got this?” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:37), to which she replied, “This is from Allah.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:37) That is, this is sustenance which Allah has provided for me. Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whomever He wills, without limit. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:37). At this point, Zakariyya (Peace be upon him) conceived a desire for a son of his own, even though he was well advanced in years. He said, “O, my Lord! Grant me from You a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearing of invocation.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:38). Some of the scholars said that he said, “O, You Who provides Maryam with fruits that are out of season, grant me a son, even though I am “out of season” (i.e. no longer of the age when one might normally father a child).” And we have already told what happened to him in his story.
Allah, Most High, says, And (remember) when the angels said, “O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief) and chosen you above the women of Al-‘Alameen. O, Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and irka‘i (bow down, etc.) along with Ar-Raki‘oon (those who bow down, etc.).” This is a part of the news of the ghaib (Unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) with which We inspire you (O Muhammad). You were not with them when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam; nor were you with them when they disputed. (Remember) when the angels said, “O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word (“Be!” – and he was! i.e. ‘Eesa the son of Maryam [Mary]) from Him, his name will be the Maseeh, ‘Eesa, the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.” She said, “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.” He said, “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only, “Be!” and it is. And He (Allah) will teach him (‘Eesa) the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Tawrah and the Injeel. (And He will make him ‘Eesa) a Messenger to the Children of Isra’eel (saying), “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Tawrah, and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me. Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:42-51)
Allah, Most High, says that the angels informed Maryam (peace be upon her) that Allah had chosen her from among all of the women of her time to bear a son, without a father. She was also informed that he would be a noble Prophet. “He will speak to the people in the cradle.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:46) That is, when he is an infant, he will call them to the worship of Allah, Alone, without partners. He will also do so when he is a man of mature age. This proves that he attained middle age and called the people to Allah in it. She was commanded to worship Allah much, to be pious and devout, to prostrate and bow, in order to be deserving of this generosity and to show gratitude for this blessing. It was said that she used to stand in prayer until the skin of her feet split – may Allah be pleased with her and show Mercy to her and to her mother and father. The angels said, “O, Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:42) That is, He has selected you and preferred you over the low creatures and given you beautiful characteristics. “…and chosen you above the women of Al-‘Alameen.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:42) It is possible that this means the women of her time, as in Allah’s Words to Moosa (Peace be upon him): “I have chosen you above men…” (Soorah Al-A‘raf 7:144) and as in His Words regarding the Children of Isra’eel: And We chose them (the Children of Isra’eel) above Al-‘Alameen with knowledge. (Soorah Ad-Dukhan 44:32). And it is well known that Ibraheem (Peace be upon him) is better than Moosa (Peace be upon him) and that Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) is better than both of them. And likewise, this nation (of Islam) is better than all of the other nations, greater in numbers, superior in knowledge and purer in deeds than the Children of Isra’eel and others.
It is also possible that: “…and have chosen you above the women of Al-‘Alameen.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:42) is a general statement, meaning that she is the best of women in this world, including all those before her and all those after her, because she was a Prophetess, according to those who opine that she, Sarah, the mother of Ishaq (Peace be upon him) and the mother of Moosa (Peace be upon him) were Prophetesses. Ibn Hazm and others cite as evidence for this the words of the angels and the Revelation given to the mother of Moosa (Peace be upon him). According to this, it is not impossible that Maryam might be better than Sarah and the mother of Moosa (Peace be upon him), based on the generality of Allah’s Words: “…and have chosen you above the women of Al-‘Alameen.” (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:42), if it (the generality) is not contradicted by any other evidence. And Allah knows better. As for the opinion of the majority, according to what has been related by Abul-Hasan Al-Ash‘ari and others, on the authority of Ahl As-Sunnah Wal-Jama‘ah, which states that the Prophethood is conferred exclusively on men and there are no Prophetesses. So the status of Maryam would be as Allah, Most High, says, The Maseeh (‘Eesa, son of Maryam), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother (Maryam was a Siddiqah (i.e. she believed in the words of Allah and His Books). (Soorah Al-Ma’idah 5:75) Based on this, it is not impossible that she might be the best of the renowned and celebrated Siddeeqat – including those before her and those after her. And Allah knows better. She has been linked with Asiyah Bint Muzahim, Khadeejah Bint Khuwailid and Fatimah Bint Muhammad, may Allah be pleased with them all.
Imam Ahmad, Al-Bukhari and Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i narrated on the authority of ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imran, was the best among the women (of the world of her time) and Khadeejah is the best amongst the women (of this nation).”
And Imam Ahmad narrated on the authority of Ibn Al-Musayyib that he said, “Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The best women are the riders of the camels and the righteous among the women of Quraish; and show affection to their children and zealously guard the wealth of their husbands.” Abu Hurairah said that Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imran, never rode a camel.
And Abu Ya‘la Al-Mawsili narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) drew four lines in the earth and he said, “Do you know what this is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The best among the women of Paradise are Khadeejah Bint Khuwailid, Fatimah Bint Muhammad, Maryam Bint ‘Imran and Asiyah Bint Muzahim, the wife of Fir‘awn.”
As for the Hadith narrated by Ibn Marduyayih, on the authority of Shu‘bah, who reported on the authority of Mu‘awiyah Ibn Qurrah, who in turn reported on the authority of his father that he said, “The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Many men attained perfection, but no women attained perfection except three: Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, Asiyah, the wife of and Khadeejah, the daughter of Khuwailid. And the superiority of ‘A’ishah over other women is as the superiority of thareed over all other foods.”
And likewise, the following Hadith narrated by the Jama‘ah – aside from Abu Dawood – is also authentic. It was reported on the authority of Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari (May Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Many men attained perfection but no women attained perfection except Asiyah, the wife of Fir‘awn and Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imran; and verily, the superiority of ‘A’ishah over other women is as the superiority of thareed over all other foods.” As you see, the Shaikhain (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) agreed upon it. And its wording necessitates that perfection in women was confined to Maryam and Asiyah; and it is likely that what is meant by this is in their times, because each of them was the guardian and protector of a Prophet during his formative years: Asiyah was the guardian of Moosa (Peace be upon him) and Mary was the guardian of her son, the slave of Allah and His Messenger, ‘Eesa (Peace be upon him). And this does not negate the possibility that other women from this nation, such as Khadeejah and Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with them) attained perfection. Khadeejah (may Allah be pleased with her) served the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) before his mission started for fifteen years, and after it for more than ten years. She was his adviser and she devoted herself and her wealth in the cause of Islam – may Allah be Pleased with her and gratify her. As for Fatimah (may Allah be Pleased with her), the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), she was favored with greater excellence than her sisters, for she outlived the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), while all of her sisters died during his lifetime. And as for ‘A’ishah (May Allah be Pleased with her), she was the most beloved wife of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) to him and he did not marry any virgin except her. In addition, no woman in this nation – or in any other nation – is known of who was superior to her in (religious) knowledge and understanding. And Allah protected her (honor) when the slanderers lied about her, by revealing to the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) from above seven heavens that she was innocent. She lived for about fifty years after the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), during which time she conveyed what she had learned of the Qur’an and Sunnah from him and acted as peacemaker between those who differed. She was the noblest of the Mothers of the Faithful, even Khadeejah, the daughter of Khuwailid (may Allah be Pleased with her), the mother of the sons and daughters of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), according to the opinion of one group of scholars. But it is better to refrain from making pronouncements regarding which of them was superior. This is because the Prophet’s statement: “And the superiority of ‘A’ishah over other women is as the superiority of thareed over all other foods.” – may be understood to be a general statement, including the aforementioned and others, or it may be a general statement with regard to other women only. And Allah knows better.
What is intended here is to discuss matters pertaining to Maryam, (peace be upon her) daughter of ‘Imran, for Allah purified her and chose her over the women of her time; and it is also possible that her superiority was over all women, as we have said. It has been reported in a Hadith that she will be one of the wives of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) in Paradise, along with Asiyah, the daughter of Muzahim. We have related in the Tafseer on the authority of some of the Salaf that when he said that, he drew support from the Words of Allah: …previously married and virgins. (Soorah At-Tahreem 66:5) He said, “The previously married refers to Asiyah, while among the virgins is Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imran.” And we have spoken of this at the end of Soorah At-Tahreem. And Allah knows better.
By Ibn Katheer
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.