Surah maryam - 19 Lesson 1

Starter: This is the only Surah, which has been entitled by the name of a woman in the Qur’an. Write down what you know about Bibi Mariam

Background The Holy P. said that Bibi Maryam was one of the 4 godly women. The birth of Prophet Yahya to an old father and a barren mother wonderful, but the birth of P. Isa, from a mother without a father, was something even more marvelous as a baby spoke in a cradle.

Background Both of them are signs of the Power of Allah. P. Yahya’s mother was Bibi Mariam’s aunt both of whom were barren and longed for a righteous child.

Bibi Mariam She was born to her mother Elizabeth who was barren. It was Allah (swt)’s miracle that He answered her prayers and granted her a baby girl. Bibi Mariam’s mother had promised Allah (swt) that she would sacrifice her child and give it to the temple as a service to Allah (swt).

Verse 17 فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا Bibi Mariam spent her life in the temple under the care of her uncle P. Zakariyyah. Bibi Mariam humbly and anonymously went to a place in the temple free from any disturbance in order to pray and to tell her secrets to Allah.

قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا Verse 18 قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا “‘Verily I take refuge in the Beneficent (Allah) from you! if you are God-fearing.” She used to receive food from heaven. Then one of the great angels in the form of a perfect handsome man, presented himself to her. Bibi Mariam got scared and said:

Verse 18 Bibi Mariam mentioned the name of Allah and knowing His mercy on one hand and she was encouraging the man to be pious and God-fearing, so that he could leave if he was intending something evil.

Reflection How can we build a relationship with Allah so we can tell Him all our secrets and not anyone else? Have we got a special place in our house which we use to talk to our King, Protector, Lover, Father…?