Six Facts about the Virgin Mary found in the Quran
Mary, otherwise known as Maryam to Muslims, is highly revered in the Christian faith for being the Mother of Jesus. However, not many are aware of her high and noble standing in Islam. Her elevated status is in fact explicitly mentioned in the Quran and also described in the authentic narrations of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Messenger had in fact listed her as one of the four greatest women of all time who had reached perfection.
We have compiled a short list of six important facts about Mary mentioned in the Quran for all to benefit.
1. She gave birth to Jesus despite being a virgin.
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…”
Quran 19:20-21
2. She was chosen by Allah above all women.
When the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.
Quran 3:42
3. She was falsely accused of infidelity.
She brought him (Jesus) 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.”
Quran 19:27-28
4. An entire Chapter is named after her in the Quran.
Her name is the centre-point of the 19th Chapter of the Quran, ‘Surat Maryam’.
In fact, Mary is the only woman referred by her first name in the Quran. This is an honourable status granted by the Quran only to few, mostly to the Prophets, Messengers and Angels.
5. She experienced many miracles.
Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allah . Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.”
Quran 3:37
In the interpretation of this verse, scholars say that every time Zachariah would visit her, he would miraculously find her with the fruits of summer during winter and the fruits of winter during summer.
6. She was incredibly chaste, pious and modest.
And Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity… she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.
Quran 66:12
What the Quran tells us about Mariam (AS)
The Quran actually sheds light on the story of Maryam prior to her birth, whereby we learn of her mother’s supplication for a righteous child.
“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 Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah ].”
(Quran 3:36)
And surely Maryam lived on to dedicate her life to worshipping Allah. Her immense piety is in fact reiterated in the Quran on multiple occasions.
“So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.”
(Quran 3:37)
“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.
(Quran 66:12)
Despite all the hardships she faced from people accusing her chastity she remained steadfast and obeyed Allah with unceasing faith.
These are just a sample of some of the important qualities and features of Mary the mother of Jesus as found in the Quran. We hope that all people can benefit from this knowledge and also follow in her noble footsteps.