If we remember, when we spoke about the Qur’an and pregnancy, our sister mentioned how Allah was there for one woman – Maryam Alayha salam, and chapter 17 is dedicated to this chosen and purified Muslimah.
By looking at Maryam Alayha salam, we see the properties that make a woman Allah’s chosen and blessed. This is the gold standard, not what the world dictates as being the ‘idea’ of what a successful woman is. This pious woman was chosen, blessed, strengthened and honoured by Allah and so by looking at her life, we can mirror ours to in sha Allah gain the pleasure of Our Rabb.
First, she was an answered dua. Ya Ukhti, supplicate for your child from the moment of conception throughout the time that she is in your womb. Ask Allah to grant you a righteous, obedient child. Maryam’s mum dedicated the child in her womb to the temple, hoping for a male child. Allah decreed she would have a female child and yet her prayer carried through, with the men of the community vying to fend for her in the temple so that her mother’s promise would be fulfilled, and it fell upon the most righteous of them at the time, Prophet Zakariyyah.
Of course, we know that the ultimate care of each one of us is with Allah and for Maryam, this was made so prominent with Allah providing her food in her chambers as He willed.
Surat ‘Āli `Imrān (Family of Imran) – سورة آل عمران
So, her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zakariyyah. Every time Zakariyyah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found her with 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.”
This is a stark reminder from this Chosen of Allah. That we will do our best, tie our camels but ultimately, rizq is from Allah. Your children’s school fees, their meals and sustenance have all been written. You are limited, but Allah is limitless. Allahu Akbar.
This dovetails into what is obvious about Maryam Alayha salam, her piety. She trusts and obeys Her Lord. Not her beauty or fine voice or anything superficial in this sense but her devoutness and steadfastness in prostrating and worship. Allah asks her to prostrate and she does. Ya Ukhti, prostrate to Your Lord. You do not need the magazines, movies and lures of the world to know how to spend your time. Protect your private parts. Maryam Alayha salam is called the one who guarded her chastity. Be dutiful, chaste and in sha Allah be of the chosen of Allah.
Her being steadfast to Her Lord, purifying herself, Allah chose her for a mighty task and test. Indeed, Allah tests the ones He loves. Remember Maryam’s mother’s dua? It was a believing offspring…and for her generation, subahanallah. Had she any idea it would be a Prophet of Allah who would be born from her lineage?
Maryam is now put to the test. After being righteous, staying on the truth, and practising it, Allah tests her with the one thing that no chaste woman will ever dream of, especially having spent her life protecting herself – having a child.
Imagine it. A young, pure Muslim girl blessed with a child by Allah, with no one to turn to because how would she explain this? Running to the countryside to have this divine gift because she knows that this is Allah’s trial and test. Prophet Isa Alayhi salam is the truth of Allah’s ability and his Mother is called a supporter of truth for carrying this value in her heart as a believer and in her belly as a supporter. For this great task she carries out in obedience to Her Lord in furtherance of the deen, the Prophet Muhammed salallahu alayhi wa salam is ordered to recite her verses in the Qur’an.
Surat Maryam (Mary) – سورة مريم
And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.So, Ya Ikhwaan, a quick guide to the best character and acts beloved to our Lord:
- – An obedient worshipper.
- – A supporter of truth.
- – Somebody who speaks and stands for truth.
- – Someone who protects the private parts.
And finally, let’s not forget a note from both ends of her life – her beginning was blessed with duas from her parents and till this day she is blessed as her life of worth is recorded for posterity for all to recite in the Qur’an. May Allah make us people who will be answered prayers and remembered for our worth. Ameen.
