In Islam, Jesus is considered one of the five greatest prophets sent by God to mankind.  Muslims’ knowledge about Jesus is based on the two main sources of Islamic knowledge: the Quran and Hadeeth (prophetic sayings).  In the Quran, Jesus is referred to as Isa ibn Maryam, or Jesus, the son of Mary.  The story of Mary and Jesus is best described in the Quran in chapters 3 and 19.

Mary: A Precocious Girlhood

The story starts with Mary, who was blessed as a child with God’s protection.  Mary was born to the pious household of Aal Imran, or the family of Imran.  Many people argued for the honor of taking care of the child, but the responsibility was given to Zechariah, an elderly and childless man, who immediately noticed that the young girl was special.  One day, Zechariah noticed that the girl had in her possession certain provisions for which he could not account.  He asked her how she came by the food and she answered,

“It is from God.  Indeed, God provides for whom He wills without account.” (Quran 3:37)

This simple answer had a deep impact on the elderly man.  Having long wished for a son, the devout Zechariah prayed to God for progeny.  As the Quran relates in the verses below, his prayers were answered almost immediately, although his wife was barren and beyond childbearing age:

“At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, ‘My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring.  Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.’  So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, ‘Indeed, God gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from God and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and prophet from among the righteous.’” (Quran 3:38-39)

The uniqueness of Mary, noticed by Zechariah, was spelled out to her by the angels:

“And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed God has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.  O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those bow [in prayer].’” (Quran 3:42-43)

Here the story of Mary’s upbringing and girlhood, as related in the Quran, ends.

The Miracle of Jesus

In chapter 19, entitled “Mary,” we hear more of this special woman’s story, best told by the Quran itself.

“And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.  And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen.  Then We sent to her Our Angel [i.e., Gabriel], and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.  She said, ‘Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of God.’  He said, ‘I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy [i.e., son].’  She said, ‘How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?’  He 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.’”  So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.” (Quran 19:16–22)

From the Quranic description of events, we can deduce that Mary spent most of her pregnancy alone.  What happened to her during this period is not mentioned in the Quran.  The Quran picks up the story at the moment that Mary goes into labor.

“And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of palm tree.  She said, ‘Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.’  But he called her from below her, ‘Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.’” (Quran 19:23-24)

God, knowing the reaction of society, further guided her how to deal with the situation:

“And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. (Quran 19:25)

When she carried the baby Jesus to her people, they questioned her; and as a baby in her arms, Jesus gave them the answer.  The Quran describes this scene in detail:

“So eat and drink and be contented.  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.’  Then she brought him to her people, carrying him.  They said, ‘O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.  O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.’  So she pointed to him.  They said, ‘How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?’ [Jesus] said, ‘Indeed, I am the servant of God.  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.’” (Quran 19:26-33)

And so the baby Jesus defended his mother from any accusations of adultery, and in a nutshell, explained who he was and why he was sent by God.

Here ends the story of Mary and miraculous birth of one of the greatest prophets of God, Jesus.

“That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute.” (Quran 19:34)

It may surprise many people to learn that Mary is one of the most esteemed and respected women in Islam and that the Quran gives her great importance.  Maryam is the name of chapter 19 of the Quran, and Chapter 3 is Aali Imran, named after her family.  Islam holds the entire family of Imran in very high regard.  The Quran tells us that:

“God chose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of Imran over all others of world’s of mankind and jinn.” (Quran 3:33)

God choose Adam and Noah individually, but He chose the family of Abraham and the family of Imran. 

“Offspring of one another.” (Quran 3:34) 

The family of Imran are from the descendents of Abraham, the family of Abraham are from the descendants of Noah and Noah is from the descendents of Adam.  The family of Imran also includes many people known and respected in the Christian traditions – Prophets Zachary and John (known as the Baptist), Prophet and Messenger Jesus and his mother, Mary.

God chose Mary above all the women of the world.  He said:

“And  when the angels said: ‘O Mary!  Verily, God has chosen you, purified you,and chosen you above the women of the worlds of mankind and jinn.’” (Quran 3:42)

Ali ibn Abu Talib said:

“I heard the Prophet of God saying Mary, the daughter of Imran was the best among women.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

  In Arabic the name Maryam means the maidservant of God, and as we shall see, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was dedicated to God even before she was born.

The Birth of Mary

The Bible is unable to give us any details of Mary’s birth; however, the Quran informs us that the wife of Imran dedicated her unborn child to the service of God.  Mary’s mother, the wife of Imran, was Hannah[1].  She was the sister of Prophet Zachary’s wife.  Hannah and her husband Imran had believed they would never have children, but one day Hannah made a sincere and heartfelt supplication to God begging for a child, and vowing that her offspring would serve in God’s House in Jerusalem.  God heard Hannah’s supplication and she fell pregnant.  When Hannah realised the glorious news she turned to God and said:

“O my Lord!  I have vowed to You what is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services, so accept this, from me.  Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing.” (Quran 3:35)

There are lessons to be learned from Hannah’s vow to God, one of which is caring for the religious education of our children.  Hannah was not thinking in terms of this world at all, she was trying to ensure that her child was close to God and in His service.  These chosen friends of God, such as family of Imran, are the parents whom we should take as our role models.  God says many times in the Quran that He is the One who supplies provision for us, and He warns us to save ourselves and our families from the fires of Hell.

In her supplication, Hannah asked that her child be free from all worldly work.  By promising that her child would be the servant of God, Hannah was securing her child’s freedom.  Freedom is a quality of life that every human being strives to attain, but Hannah understood that true freedom comes from complete submission to God.  This is what she aspired to for her yet unborn child.  Hannah wanted her child to be a free person, a slave to no man and no desire, but a slave only to God.  In due time, Hannah gave birth to a girl, again she turned to God in prayer and said:

“‘O my Lord, I have delivered a female child,’ and the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge with You for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast.” (Quran 3:36)

Hannah named her child Mary.  With reference to her vow to God, Hannah now found herself facing a dilemma.  Serving in the House of Prayer was not acceptable for women.  Mary’s father, Imran had died before she was born, so Hannah turned to her brother in law, Zachary.  He comforted Hannah and helped her to understand that God knew that she had delivered a girl.  This girl child, Mary, was from the best of creation.  Prophet Mohammad mentioned[2]  that whenever a child is born Satan pricks him or her and therefore the child cries loudly.  This is a sign of the great enmity between mankind and Satan; however there were two exceptions to this rule.  Satan pricked neither Mary nor her son Jesus[3], due to the supplication of Mary’s mother.

When the time came for Mary to go into the House of Prayer, everybody wanted to take care of this pious daughter of Imran.  As was the custom of the time, the men drew lots for the privilege, and God ensured that her guardian was Prophet Zachary.

“So her Lord accepted her with goodly acceptance, and made her grow in a good manner, and put her under the care of Zachary.” (Quran 3:37)

Prophet Zachary served in the House of God and was a wise and knowledgeable man devoted to teaching.  He had a private room built for Mary so that she was able to worship God and go about her daily duties in private.  As her guardian, Prophet Zachary visited Mary daily, and one day he was surprised to see fresh fruit in her room.  It is said that in winter she would have the fresh fruits of summer and in the summer she would have the fresh fruits of winter.[4]  Prophet Zachary inquired about how the fruit got there, to which Mary replied, it was indeed God Who provided her sustenance. She said:

“It is from God.  Verily, God provides sustenance to whom He wills without limit.” (Quran 3:37)

Mary’s devotion to God was at that time unparalleled, but her faith was about to be tested.

Esteemed and loved by all Muslims and known as a pious and devout woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus was chosen above all other women.  Islam rejects the Christian notion that Jesus is part of a trinity that is God, and denies emphatically that either Jesus or his mother, Mary, are worthy of worship.  The Quran categorically states that there is no god but God.

“Such is God, your Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Creator of all things.  So worship Him ...” (Quran 6:102)

Muslims are required, however, to believe in and love all of the Prophets, including Prophet Jesus, who holds a special place in the Islamic creed.  His mother, Mary, holds a place of honour.  As a young woman, Mary went into the House of Prayer in Jerusalem, her entire life dedicated to the worship and service of God.

Mary Hears the News of Jesus

While she was in seclusion from everybody, a man appeared before Mary.  God said:

“She screened herself from them; We sent to her Our Spirit, and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.” (Quran 19:17)

Mary was afraid and tried to flee.  She appealed to God saying:

“Verily!  I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (God) from you, if you do fear God.”  The angel said: “I am only a Messenger from your Lord to you, announcing the gift of a righteous son.” (Quran 19:18-19)

Mary was amazed and puzzled by these words.  She was not married, rather a virgin who kept chaste.  She asked incredulously:

“‘O my Lord!  How will I have a son when no man has touched me?’  He said, “So (it will be): for God creates what He wills;  when He has decreed something, He says to it only ‘Be’ – and it is.” (Quran 3:47)

God created Adam from the dust of the earth, without either mother or father.  He created Eve from Adam's rib; and Jesus, He created without a father, but with a mother, the pious Virgin Mary.  God, who has only to say ‘Be’ to a thing in order to bring it into existence,, blew the spirit of Jesus into Mary via the Angel Gabriel.

“And We breathed into it[1] through Our Spirit, and she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord ...” (Quran 66:12)

Although the stories of Mary in the Quran and in the Bible have many aspects in common, the view that Mary was betrothed or married is totally rejected by Islam.  Time passed, and Mary became afraid of what the people around her would say.  She wondered how they could possibly believe that no man had touched her. The majority of scholars in Islam agree that the duration of Mary’s pregnancy was normal.[2]  Then, as the time came for her to give birth, Mary decided to leave Jerusalem, and travelled towards the city of Bethlehem.  Even though Mary must have recalled the words of God, for her faith was strong and unwavering, this young woman was anxious and uneasy.  But the angel Gabriel reassured her:

“O Mary, Verily God gives you glad tidings of a word  from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – held in honour  in this world and the Hereafter and will be one of those who are  near to God.” (Quran 3:45)

Jesus is Born

The pains of childbirth drove her to clutch at the trunk of a date-palm tree and she cried out in anguish:

“Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!” (Quran 19:23)

Mary delivered her child right there, at the foot of the date tree.  She was exhausted after the birth, and filled with distress and fear, but nevertheless she heard a voice calling out to her.  .

“Grieve not!  Your Lord has provided you a stream of clear water under you; and shake the trunk of palm tree towards you; it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you.  So eat and drink and be glad...” (Quran 19:24)

God provided Mary with water, as a stream suddenly appeared beneath the place she was sitting.  He also provided her with food; all she had to do was shake the trunk of the date tree.  Mary was scared and frightened; she felt so weak, having just given birth, so how could she possibly shake the immense trunk of a date tree?  But God continued to provide Mary with sustenance. 

The next event was indeed another miracle, and as human beings we learn a great lesson from this.  Mary didn’t need to shake the date tree, which would have been impossible; she only had to make an effort.  As she attempted to follow God’s command,  fresh ripe dates fell from the tree and God said to Mary: “…eat, drink and be glad.” (Quran 19:26)

Mary now had to take her new born child and go back to face her family.  Of course she was afraid, and God knew this well.  Thus He directed her not to speak.  It would not have been possible for Mary to explain how she had suddenly become the mother of a new born child.  Since she was unmarried, her people would not believe her explanations.  God said:

“And if you see any human being, say: ‘Verily!  I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (God) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.’” (Quran 19:26)

Mary came to her people carrying the child, and they immediately began accusing her; they exclaimed “What have you done?  You are from a good family, and your parents were pious.”

As God had directed her, Mary did not speak, she merely pointed to the baby in her arms.  Then Jesus, son of Mary, spoke.  As a newborn baby, Jesus, the Prophet of God performed his first miracle.  By the permission of God he said:

“Verily!  I am a slave of God.  He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet; and He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me prayer, and alms, as long as I live, and to be dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.  And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!” (Quran 19:30-34)

Mary is referred to in the Quran (5:75) as a siddqa (truthful one) but the Arabic word siddiqaimplies more then just speaking the truth.  It means that one has achieved a very high level of righteousness.  It means that one is truthful, not only with themselves and those around them, but also with God.  Mary was a woman who fulfilled her covenant with God, Whom she worshiped with full submission.  She was pious, chaste, and devout; the woman chosen above all other women to be the mother of Jesus was Mary, the daughter of Imran.

The Birth of Mary

“Indeed God chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of Imran over the worlds.  An offspring, like one another (in righteousness).  And God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.  (And mention) when the wife of Imran said, ‘O my Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb, to be dedicated (to Your service), so accept this from me.  Indeed, You are All-Hearing, All-Knowing.’  Then when she delivered her (Mary), she said, ‘O my Lord, I have delivered a female,’ and God knew best what she delivered, ‘And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge with You for her and for her children from Satan, the expelled (from the mercy of God).’” (Quran 3:33-36)

The Childhood of Mary

“So her Lord fully accepted her, and gave her a good upbringing, and put her under the care of Zechariah.  Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer room, he found her supplied with food.  He said, ‘O Mary, where do you get this from?’  She said, ‘This is from God.  Indeed, God provides for whom He wills, without limit.’” (Quran 3:37)

Mary, the Devout

“And (mention) when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed God has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds.’  ‘O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow down along those who bow down (in prayer).’  This is a part of the news of the unseen, which We reveal to you (O Muhammad).  You were not with them when they cast lots with their pens to (decide) which of them should take care of Mary, nor were you with them when they disputed.” (Quran 3:42-44)

The Good news of a new-born child

“(And mention) when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed God gives you the good news of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and of those who are near to God.’  ‘He will speak to the people in the cradle, and in old age, and he will be of the righteous.’  She said, ‘My Lord, how can I have a son when no man has touched me.’  He said, ‘So (it will be,) for God creates what He wants.  When He decides something, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.  And He will teach him the Book and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel.  And (will make him) a messenger to the Children of Israel (saying), ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord.  I make for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, then breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by the permission of God.  And I heal the blind and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by the permission of God.  And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses.  Surely, there is a sign for you in that, if you are believers.  And (I have come) confirming the Torah that was (revealed) before me, and to allow you some of what was forbidden to you.  And I have come to you with a proof from your Lord, so fear God and obey me.  Indeed, God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him.  This is the straight path.” (Quran 3:45-51)

“And mention in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern place.  And she placed a screen to seclude herself from them.  Then We sent to her Our angel (Gabriel), and he took the form of a well-created man before her.  She said, “Indeed I seek refuge with the Most Merciful from you, if you do fear God.”[1]  (The angel) said, ‘I am only the messenger of your Lord to give to you (the news of) a pure boy.’  She said, ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me (in marriage), and I am not a prostitute?’  He said, So your Lord said, ‘It is easy for Me.  And We will make him a sign to people and a mercy from Us.  And it is a matter (already) decided.’”[2] (Quran 19:16-21)

The Immaculate Conception

“And she who guarded her chastity, so We breathed (a spirit) into her through Our angel, and We made her and her son (Jesus) a sign for the worlds.”[3] (Quran 21:91)

The Birth of Jesus

“So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.  And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree.  She said, ‘I wish I had died before this, and had been long forgotten.  [Mary was worried that people would think badly of her as she was not married.]  Then (baby Jesus) called her from below her, saying, ‘Don’t be sad.  Your Lord has provided a stream under you.’  Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, and it will drop on you fresh ripe dates.  So eat and drink and be happy.  And if you see any human, then say, ‘Indeed I have vowed a fast to the Most Merciful so I will not speak to any human today.’  Then she carried him and brought him to her people.  They said, ‘O Mary, indeed you have done a great evil.’  ‘O sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, and your mother was not a fornicator.’  So she pointed to him.  They said, ‘How can we speak to a child in the cradle?’  (Jesus) said, ‘Indeed, I am a slave of God.  He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.[4]  And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I remain alive.  And (has made) me kind to my mother, and did not make me arrogant or miserable.  And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I will die, and the day I will be raised alive.’” (Quran 19:22-33)

“Indeed, Jesus is like Adam in front of God.  He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”[5] (Quran 3:59)

“And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, And We gave them refuge and rest on a high ground with flowing water.”[6] (Quran 23:50)

The Excellence of Mary

“And God gives as an example for those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me a home near You in paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and save me from the wrongdoing people.’  And (the example of) Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew (the spirit of Jesus) into her through Our angel (Gabriel).  And she believed in the words of her Lord, and His scriptures, and she was of the devout ones.” (Quran 66:11-12)