Commentary on Surah Maryam (ePub)

This surah is named after Maryam, the mother of Prophet Jesus [peace be upon them]. It perpetuates her story since giving birth to her son, Prophet Jesus, was miraculous. It was a virgin birth without the presence of a male. The author of Mahasin at-Ta'wil said, 'It is named after Maryam because it mentions her wondrous story. Al-Mahymayy said, 'That is because her story refers to the fact that whoever isolates himself from his family to worship Allah alone, seeking clear guidance, will be revealed to him the attributes of Allah and the world with its vast kingdom. In addition, marvelous miracles will be disclosed before him, which is of the greatest aims of the Quran.''[1]

This surah is the only surah in the Quran that is named after a female figure. Besides, Maryam is the only woman mentioned in the Quran by her name. Other female figures are identified in the Quran by referring to their relation to other people, such as the wife of Prophet Lot, the wife of Pharaoh, and the mother of Prophet Moses. This shows the great rank that Maryam has in Islam.

3:42 And mention when the angels said, 'O Maryam, indeed, Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all women of the world.' [Surah al-Imran]

Allah selected Maryam for His worship, He purified her from vices and immorality, and He chose her over all the women of her age.

Abu Musa al-Asha'ri, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Messenger Muhammad said, 'Many men attain perfection, no one attains perfection among women except Asiya, wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam, the daughter of Imran.'[2]

Furthermore, it is noticed that many great prophets such as Prophet Adam, Prophet Ibrahim, and Prophet Moses are mentioned in surah Maryam. However, the surah is not named after any one of them; rather, it is named after a woman, after a virgin woman, and after the only woman, who gave birth to a baby without having a relationship with any male. By affirming the virgin birth of Prophet Jesus, and that he is a human being, surah Maryam affirms an important fact, namely, the Oneness of Allah and that He has no son and that He has no wife, Exalted be He.