Mariam bint Imran: The Woman Allah Chose Above All Women

An entire chapter of the Qur'an is named after her. Chapter 19. Surah Maryam.

Not after any of the Prophet Muhammad's wives. Not after any of his daughters. Not after any Muslim woman.

After Mariam. Mary. Mother of Jesus. A woman who lived 600 years before Islam.

Think about that. The Qur'an—the final revelation—dedicates a whole chapter to a Christian saint. Or more accurately, to a woman both Muslims and Christians honor. But whose story the Qur'an tells differently.

The Qur'an says about her: "And [mention] when the angels said, 'O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.'" (3:42)

Chosen above all women. Not just of her time. Of all times. All worlds.

That's Mariam bint Imran. That's Mary, daughter of Imran.

I used to know her as "Jesus's mother." A background character in his story. Important, sure. But secondary.

Then I studied Surah Maryam. Studied Surah Al-Imran. Read the details. The struggle. The miracle. The strength. The faith.

Now when I hear "Mariam," I don't see a background character. I see the woman who gave birth without a husband and faced her people with a newborn. I recognize the woman who had a son who defended her honor when he was still in the cradle.

Let me narrate her story. The Islamic one. Not the Christian one. For although we respect her, we interpret her story in different ways.

Her Parents: The Promise That Made the Difference

The history of Mariam begins even before her birth. Her mother made a promise.

Father: Imran. An upright man. From the line of prophets. The offspring of Prophets Dawud and Sulayman.

Mother: Hannah. Wife of Imran. Upright woman. Childless for years.

The Promise:

Hannah longed for a child. She promised Allah that if He blessed her with a child, she would devote that child to His service. She promised to make him a priest in the house of Baitul Maqdis in Jerusalem.

Allah fulfilled her request. She conceived.

The Expectation:

According to their customs, only male children were eligible to serve in the temple. Therefore, Hannah expected to have a son to whom she would consecrate herself to religious duties.

The Surprise:

She delivered a daughter. Mariam.

Allah says in the Qur'an (3:36): "But when she delivered her, she said, 'My Lord, I have delivered a female.' And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, 'And the male is not like the female. And I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah].'"

The Dilemma:

Girls didn't serve in the temple. But she'd made a vow. What now?

She kept her vow anyway. Dedicated Mariam to Allah's service despite cultural norms.

The Acceptance:

Allah accepted Mariam. Allowed her to serve in the temple. Made her an exception.

Fatima told me: "Hannah's story teaches me: Don't limit Allah's plans by your expectations. She wanted a son for temple service. Allah gave her a daughter who would give birth to a prophet. Allah's plan was better than her plan."

Her Childhood: Raised in the Temple

After her father Imran died, young Mariam needed a guardian.

The Competition:

Multiple men wanted the honor of raising this special child. They drew lots. Zakariya (Zechariah) won.

Zakariya was a prophet. Married to Mariam's aunt. Righteous. Trustworthy. Perfect guardian.

Her Dedication:

Mariam grew up in the temple. Dedicated to worship. Learning. Growing in faith.

The Miracle of Food:

Allah says (3:37): "So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zakariya. Every time Zakariya entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, 'O Maryam, from where is this [coming] to you?' She said, 'It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.'"

Food appeared in her room. Miraculous provision. Out-of-season fruits. Things not available in the market.

Zakariya, a prophet, was astounded. He would say, “Where does this come from?”

And she would reply, “It is from Allah.”

Zakariya’s Reaction:

Zakariya was moved by Allah’s miraculous sustenance of Maryam. So he prayed to have a child despite being an old man with no offspring. Allah blessed him with a son called Yahya (John the Baptist).

One woman’s faith moves a prophet to pray. This is what happens when righteousness spreads.

The Annunciation: When Angels Deliver Unbelievable Messages

Maryam was a teenage girl, living inside the Temple and praying.

The Visitor:

One day, she was alone. A man appeared before her. Suddenly. In her private space.

She was terrified. "I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah." (19:18)

The Revelation:

The "man" was Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) in human form.

He said: "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." (19:19)

A son. She would have a son.

Her Confusion:

"She said, 'How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?'" (19:20)

Logical question. Virgin girl. No husband. How?

The Answer:

"[The angel] said, 'Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, "It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed."'" (19:21)

Allah has decided. It will happen. A miracle. A sign for humanity.

The Islamic Understanding:

In Islam, there is no father to Jesus (Isa). Created by Allah through his command "Be". Just like Adam was created without any father or mother.

It is not divinity; it is divinity at work. And Allah creates things according to His will.

Ahmed states, "Christians make Jesus divine on account of the miracle of virgin birth. But in Islam, the miracle of virgin birth establishes the greatness of Allah, not the divinity of Jesus. Adam is created without any father AND mother. Is he then any more divine than Jesus?"

The Pregnancy: Carrying a Miracle

Mariam became pregnant. By Allah’s command. Miraculously.

The Challenge:

Imagine her situation:

• Unmarried
• Living in a religious community
• Pregnant
• No way to prove it's miraculous

Who would believe her?

The Isolation:

"So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place." (19:22)

She left. Went somewhere alone. Away from people who would question, accuse, condemn.

The Fear:

The Qur'an doesn't detail her pregnancy months. But imagine them:

• Alone
• Pregnant
• Knowing what people would think
• Trusting only Allah
• Waiting for a miracle no one would believe

Nine months of isolation. Faith. Fear. Trust.

Zaynab told me, crying: "I can't imagine Mariam's loneliness. Pregnant without a husband. Everyone would assume the worst. She had only Allah. Only her faith. That level of trust in Allah while facing total social destruction? That's why she's chosen above all women."

The Birth: Labor Under a Palm Tree

The time came. Labor pains began.

The Setting:

"And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, 'Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.'" (19:23)

Alone. In pain. Under a palm tree. Wishing she had died before this moment.

The Despair:

Not physical pain primarily. The social pain. What comes after. Facing her people. Facing accusation. How does she explain?

The Comfort:

"But he called her from below her, 'Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.'" (19:24)

The baby Jesus (or Angel Jibreel according to some scholars) called to her. Don't grieve. Look: water. Provision.

The Provision:

"And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented..." (19:25-26)

Shake the tree. Fresh dates will fall. Eat. Drink from the stream. Be comforted.

Allah providing for her in the wilderness. Food. Water. Comfort.

The Instruction:

"And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.'" (19:26)

Don't speak. Take a vow of silence. When they ask, don't defend yourself. Let your son speak.

Ibrahim asked me: "Why silence? Why not explain?"

Because no explanation would work. They'd never believe her. Words would fail. Only a miracle could prove her innocence. And that miracle was about to speak.

The Return: Facing Her People

She returned. Carrying the baby. To her people.

The Accusation:

"O Maryam, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Harun, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste." (19:27-28)

Direct accusation. Your family was righteous. What have you done? Unprecedented shame.

Her Response:

She pointed to the baby.

They said: "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?" (19:29)

Sarcastic. Mocking. You want us to ask the baby?

The Miracle:

"[Jesus] said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.'" (19:30-33)

A newborn baby. Speaking. Clearly. Eloquently. Defending his mother. Declaring his prophethood.

The Vindication:

The baby spoke. He testified that she was innocent. He declared himself a servant and prophet of Allah. Thus making her veracity clear.

Allah needed no witness on her behalf. Her witness came from Allah. Via the speaking baby.

Fatima stated: "I always get goosebumps when I come across the narration of baby Jesus speaking. The silent Mary during accusation and then her speaking baby who says complete sentences. Allah vindicates her in the most supernatural manner."  

Her Status in Islam: The Most Respected Lady

Islam grants Mariam an unparalleled position amongst all women.

Qur'anic Honor:

1. Chosen Above All Women: "Indeed, Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds." (3:42)
2. Entire Chapter Named After Her: Surah Maryam (Chapter 19). The only woman with a Qur'anic chapter named after her.
3. Example for All Believers: "And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient." (66:12)

Prophetic Honors:

The Prophet Muhammad said: "The best women of mankind are four: Mariam bint Imran, Asiya the wife of Pharaoh, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, and Fatimah bint Muhammad."

Four best women in all of human history. Mariam is one of them.

Her Purity:

The Prophet said: "No child is born except that Satan touches him when he is born, whereupon he starts crying loudly from the touch, except Mariam and her son."

Protected from Satan's touch. Complete purity.

Her Rank in Paradise:

She's guaranteed Paradise. One of the greatest women ever.

The Islamic-Christian Difference

Muslims and Christians both honor Mariam. But we understand her differently.

Christians Say:

• Mary is "Mother of God" (because they consider Jesus divine)
• Some Catholics pray to her, seek her intercession
• Elevated to semi-divine status in some traditions
• Immaculate conception (born without original sin)
• Assumption (taken to heaven bodily)

Muslims Say:

• Mariam is the greatest woman, but still human
• Created by Allah, servant of Allah
• We don't pray to her or through her
• We honor her, learn from her, but don't worship her
• Jesus is her son and a great prophet, but not divine

The Qur'an Addresses Christian Beliefs:

"They have said, 'Allah has taken a son.' Exalted is He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are devoutly obedient to Him." (2:116)

Islam rejects Jesus's divinity while honoring both Jesus and Mariam as exceptional servants of Allah.

Omar shared: "My Christian coworker was shocked that Islam honors Mary so much. She thought Islam would dismiss her. When I explained Surah Maryam, she said, 'You honor her more than some Christians do.' That opened a beautiful interfaith conversation."

Lessons from Her Life

1. Trust Allah in Impossible Situations:

Pregnant without a husband. Facing social death. She trusted. Allah vindicated her.

2. Silence Can Be Stronger Than Defense:

She didn't argue. Didn't defend. Let the miracle speak. Sometimes trusting Allah's plan means not defending yourself.

3. Allah Provides in Wilderness:

Food in her temple room. Dates and water during childbirth. When you're dedicated to Allah, He provides.

4. Social Pressure Doesn't Change Truth:

Everyone would accuse her. Didn't matter. Truth was truth. Allah's plan was Allah's plan.

5. Righteousness Runs in Families:

Her mother's vow. Her own dedication. Her son's prophethood. Righteous parents often raise righteous children.

6. Women Can Reach the Highest Ranks:

No gender barrier in faith. Mariam reached a status most men never reach.

7. Difficulty Precedes Miracles:

Her greatest difficulty (unexplained pregnancy, social shame) preceded her greatest miracle (speaking baby defending her).

Her Legacy

For Muslim Women:

Example of chastity. Dedication. Trust in Allah. Strength in difficulty.

For All Muslims:

Example of complete submission to Allah's will. Even when it defies logic. Even when it invites persecution.

For Interfaith Relations:

Common ground between Muslims and Christians. A figure both faiths honor (even if differently).

For Humanity:

Proof that righteousness transcends gender. That faith can survive impossible tests. That Allah defends those who trust Him.

Conclusion: The Woman Chosen Above All

Allah chose Mariam as the most important woman across all worlds because He understood her special nature.

She lacked wealth. She lacked social status. Her life experience was not simple.

She achieved complete faith. She maintained total trust. She showed complete obedience.

The impossible event occurred when she became pregnant without marriage. She maintained her faith. She gave birth.

Allah proved her innocence. A speaking baby confirmed her truth. The holy book contained revelations. She received everlasting respect.

Mariam bint Imran. Chosen. Purified. Honored.

May Allah grant us a fraction of her faith. A portion of her trust. A glimpse of her strength.

The woman whom Allah selected above all other women was not a powerful person because she lacked material wealth and she lacked famous status.

She devoted herself to faith. She demonstrated trust. She completely surrendered herself.

That's what made her the greatest.