Chapter 19 - 41
Mary (Surah Maryum)
(98 verses in total; revealed in Early Makkah Time – 4th or 5th year of prophethood)
This is a longer chapter among the early revelations and address the central tenets of Christianity, the nature of Jesus and the story of Mary – these narratives are very different than what is the Bible and refutes the theology of Trinity, Jesus being a human and a mortal and Mary being among the most preeminent woman among the faithful.
Key themes in this longer but an early chapter are as follows:
Mary conceived Jesus (Isa) without a father – a task that is easy for God and was a special decree from God to be fulfilled
John (Yahya) was born to Prophet Zacharias and was later known as John, the Baptist among the early Christians
All major prophets linked to Abraham are mentioned, showing the link to the Arab who considered themselves a descendent of Ishmael, the first born of Abraham and his mother, Hagar
These prophets and their immediate generations were faithful and just but there came in later generations who denied and were consumed with injustice – a cycle that repeats itself throughout human existence, even in the current millennium
The consequences of faith and good deeds vs. denial of God and evil deeds are made clear – a constant repetition in the early chapters
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Khaaf-Ha-Ya-A’in-Saad!1
Now mention the mercy that your God bestowed on His servant, Zacharias, when he called upon his Cherisher God in private. He pleaded, “God, my bones have weakened, and my hair has turned gray and I have never been unrewarded of my supplication to You! I am concerned about my family and kinsmen after I am gone, and my wife is barren. Grant me from Yourself an heir who will inherit me and the family of Jacob and make him pleasing to You!” “Zacharias, We give you the good news of a boy, whose name will be John - We have not named anyone before him as such.” (v. 1-7)
Zacharias said, “My Sustainer God, how can I have a son while my wife is barren, and I am old and frail.” God replied, “This is how it is. It is easy for Me and (remember) I created you before when you were nothing!” (v. 8-9)
He said, “My Cherisher God, give me a sign.” God said, “You are unable to speak to people for three nights, though you are in sound health.” He then went forth to his people, signaled to them to praise God mornings and evenings. “O John, take hold of the scripture firmly.” We (God) granted him wisdom from his childhood and tender heartedness from Us while being full of purity, and mindfulness. He was kind to his parents and was neither arrogant nor rebellious. (Declare) peace on him the day he was born, the day he died, and the day he will be raised to life! (v. 10-15)
Let’s narrate Mary in this scripture – she withdrew herself from her family to a place east and secluded herself from them. We (God) then sent Our spirit (angel) who appeared before her as a handsome man. She exclaimed, “I seek refuge in the Beneficent God from you; will you guard against evil?” He (angel) replied, “I am indeed a messenger from your Cherisher God. I am here to give you the news of a boy, pure!” She replied, “How can I have a son when no man has touched me, and I have not been unchaste.” He replied, “This is how it is. Your sustainer God says, ‘It is easy for Me.’, that We may make him a sign for men and a source of mercy from Us. It is a matter already ordained (amran).” (v. 16-21)
She then conceived him and withdrew to a faraway place. The pain of childbirth drove her to cling to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, “I wish I had died and long forgotten before this!” A voice came to her from beneath, “Do not grieve! Your Sustainer has provided a stream beneath you. Shake the tree towards you and it will drop fresh ripe dates for you. Eat, drink and be content. If you see anyone, say, “I have vowed to fast for the sake of the Beneficent God. I will not speak to anyone today.”
Once she arrived to her people, carrying her son, they said, “O Mary, you have indeed done a terrible thing! You are a sister of Aaron (priestly class), your father was not wicked, and your mother was not unchaste.” But she pointed to the son, and they said, “How can we speak to a child in his cradle?” Jesus replied, “I am a servant of God. God has given me the scripture and made me a prophet. God has blessed me wherever I may be. God has prescribed for me to worship, to help the poor as long as I live and to be kind to my mother. God has made me neither rebellious, nor without grace! Peace be on me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised to life!”
Such was Jesus, the son of Mary – a true narrative that they dispute about! (v. 22-34)
It does not befit God that He should take a child to Himself – God is full of glory! Whenever God wishes to decree a thing, God says, “Be” and it becomes. Surely God is your Sustainer and my Sustainer, so let’s serve God alone. This is the straight path! Yet, parties among them differed. What consequences await those who deny, on a grave day when it arrives! That day they will hear and see things clearly as they come back to Us; yet now they are far off the true path. Warn them of this day of regrets when matters will be decided; yet they are negligent, and they deny. (v. 35-39)
Surely, We (God) inherit the earth and those on it – to Us they all return! (v. 40)
Let’s narrate Abraham in this scripture – he was a man of truth, a prophet. He pleaded with his father thus, “Father, why do you worship such things that do not hear or see and can’t do any good. Father, certain knowledge has come to me that has not been given to you. Follow me and I will guide you to a path without blemish. Father, do not serve the Devil – he disobeys the Beneficent God. Father, I am afraid that displeasure of the Beneficent God descends on you, and you are branded with the devil.” (v. 41-45)
His Father replied, “Do you hate our Gods, Abraham? If you do not stop, I will drive you away. Go away from me for a long time.” Abraham replied, “Peace! I will supplicate to God for your forgiveness! God is ever kind to me! I will remove myself from you and all that you worship besides God. I call upon my Cherisher God and I fervently hope that my calling of my God is worthy of His blessings! (v. 46-48)
Then he left them and moved away from all that they worshipped besides God. We gave him Isaac and Jacob and each We made a prophet. We blessed them with Our mercy and gave them eminence and a noble reputation! (v. 49-50)
Let’s mention Moses in this scripture. He was sincere in his devotion, a messenger, and a prophet.2 God called on him from the right side of the mountain and We made him drew near to us for direct communication. We gave a companion prophet, Aaron, his brother out of Our Mercy. (v. 51-53)
Let’s mention Ishmael in this scripture. He was a man of truth, keeping promises made, a messenger, and a prophet. He instructed his people to devote to God, to goodness and to help the poor. He was one of those with whom God was pleased! (v. 54-55)
Let’s mention Idris in this scripture. He was a man of truth, a prophet. We elevated him to a higher state. (v. 56-57)
These are they whom God had blessed – from among the prophets, among the children of Adam (and Eve), among those whom We carried with Noah (in his Arc), among the children of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and selected. When the messages of the Beneficent God are read out to them, they would prostrate and weep in awe and devotion! (v. 58)
But after them came an evil generation who misused their worships, followed their greed and lust and as a result met their consequences, except those who repented, reestablished faith and did good. It is these who will enter the Garden, and they will not be touched with any injustice! A Garden of Perpetuity3;, a promise from Beneficent God to His servants, yet unseen (in this life), but God’s promises always come to fruition. (v. 59-61)
In it they will hear no vain discourse, but greetings of Peace! They will have their provisions given, each morning and evening! Such is this garden that those of our servants, who acts responsibly, will inherit from Us! (v. 62-63)
(Gabriel said4) “We do not descend except with the permission and command of God, to Whom all belongs – what is behind you, what is in front of you and what is in between. Your Cherisher God is never forgetful! God of heavens and earth and what is in between. Serve God and be patient in His Service! Do you know of anyone who can be His Equal? (v. 64-65)
Some people say, “Once I am dead, shall I be brought back to life?” Do they not remember that God created them before, when they were nothing worthy? By your God (Prophet), We will gather them altogether along with the Devil and then bring on the brink of hell, on their knees!
Then We will draw out from various groups those who were the worst in denial and disobedience against the God of Mercy. We know for sure those who are most deserving of getting in the blaze in front of them. Everyone will come to face this – none can escape, as this is ordained by God. But God will deliver those who acted responsibly and avoided evils, while the wicked will be left behind on their knees. (v. 66-72)
When Our messages are read out and explained to them, those who are in denial ask those who are believers, “Of our two parties, which party do you believe is in better positions? Which party has better following?” (Do they not know that) We have brought to account generations before them who had better possessions and better outward appearances! (v. 73-74)
Say, “For those who are in errors and denials, God of Mercy will prolong their days until they come face to face with what they have been cautioned before – either the consequence (in this life) or the Hour (of death and resurrection)! – then they will realize who is in worse position and weaker in following!” But God amplifies guidance for those who seek and follow guidance - their deeds, the good deeds, are more worthy of rewards from God and yield better returns. (v. 75-76)
Have you seen him who denies Our messages and asserts, “I am certain to be given wealth and children.”? Does he have knowledge of the future or is there a covenant between him and the God of Mercy? No way! We record his assertions and will prolong his chastisement. We preserve all he says, and he will come back to Us alone! These people take on gods besides God, assuming these will be a source of strength for them. No way! These will soon deny such worshipping and turn against them! (v. 77-82)
Do you not see (Prophet) that we send evil ones (devils included) to incite the deniers? So do not be impatient regarding them; We do a countdown against their life span. On the day (of judgement) We will gather the responsible ones as an honored delegate, while We will drive the deniers as a horde of thirsty beasts. These have no power to intercede, except those who made a solemn covenant with the God of Mercy! (v. 83-87)
They assert, “The God of Mercy has taken on a son5 for Himself.” What a terrible assertion! It almost renders the heaven to be torn down, the earth to split itself and the mountain to crumble to pieces – that they ascribe a son to the God of Mercy! It is unworthy of God of Mercy to take on a son since there is nothing in the heavens and on earth that does not come to the God of Mercy as a creation and as a servant! He tracks them all and takes accounts of them precisely. Every one of them will come back to Him on the day of Resurrection all alone! (v. 88-95)
Those who believe and do good deeds, for them the God of Mercy will let love to blossom! (v. 96)
Therefore, We have made it easy for you (Prophet) in your own language and speech that you give good news to those who acts responsibly, while warning those who are contentious and stubborn. (v. 97)
How many a generation have We removed before them – can you see any of them or hear even a whisper? (v.98)
1These types of abbreviation are at the beginning of many chapters. While different commentators had tried to decipher meanings based on words that might begin with or sounds like the consonants in question, I have left them as such.
2Moses, just like Jesus and Mohammad, is mentioned both a prophet and a messenger. Messengers are given scriptures and prophecy, but prophets are endowed with divine knowledge but no scriptures.
3Also known as Garden of Eden (as in the Bible), Garden of everlasting bliss is another rendering
4Supposedly in response to prophet’s request to visit him more frequently
5The rendering of “walad” as son could also be offspring (not necessarily son)
