MARYAM : AN EXEMPLARY MUSLIM WOMAN
A ccording to historical
sources, Allah honored Maryam, who lived approximately two millennia ago, with
the birth of Prophet 'Isa (as). She was one of the chosen women on Earth as
well as in the Hereafter. Born in Roman-occupied Palestine, she was a Jewess and
lived in the Jewish community.
Idolatry was Rome's state
religion. The Jews, once a nation preferred by Allah "over all other beings" (Surat
al-Baqara: 47), had altered His religion, adopted false beliefs, rebelled
against Allah's commands, and were no longer grateful for His gifts to them.
Some of them even murdered the Prophets sent to them by the grace of Allah,
because the Jews did not like the commands that these exalted men conveyed. The
Qur'an reveals their transgressions:
We made a
covenant with the tribe of Israel and sent Messengers to them. Each time a
Messenger came to them with something their lower selves did not desire, they
denied some and they murdered others. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 70)
Maryam was born at a
chaotic time, when the Jews' only hope was their expected Messiah (savior).
Unknown to her, Allah had already determined to choose and raise her for this
holy duty. She was central to the Israelites' expectations, for she would give
birth to Prophet 'Isa (as), whom He compliments in the following terms: "His name is the Messiah, 'Isa, son of Maryam, of
high esteem in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near. He
will speak to people in the cradle and when fully grown, and will be one of the
believers" (Surah Al 'Imran: 45-46).
Allah chose Maryam to
represent morality and true religion among her people, who had left the true
religion and embraced superstitions and idle speculation. Allah reveals many
aspects of her life, among them her birth and family, the birth of Prophet 'Isa
(as), her superior character, and how she resisted her society's slanders and
accusations.
Allah reveals that "Allah chose Adam and Nuh, and the family of Ibrahim
and the family of 'Imran, over all other beings-descendants one of the
other..." (Surah Al 'Imran: 33-34). In other words, 'Imran's family
descended from the Prophets Adam (as), Nuh (as), and Ibrahim (as), and they
were exalted people. One of these chosen people was Maryam, whose family
sincerely believed in Allah, respected the limits that He has established for
humanity, and always sought and trusted Him.
When `Imran's wife, a
sincere believer, found out that she was pregnant with Maryam, she immediately
prayed to Allah. She praised Him and promised that she would dedicate her child
to Him. When she gave birth to a girl, she named her Maryam, which means to abide, in other words someone who incessantly worships Allah. Allah
reveals her prayer in the following verse:
Remember
when the wife of 'Imran said: "My Lord, I have vowed to You whatever is in
my womb, to be devoted [to Your service]. Please accept it from me. You are the
All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." When she gave birth, she said: "My
Lord! I have given birth to a girl"-and Allah knew very well what she had
given birth to, male and female are not the same-"and I have named her
Maryam and placed her and her children in Your safekeeping from Satan, the
accursed." (Surah Al 'Imran: 35-36)
The
Arabic word muharreren,
translated here as devoted [to
Your service], means "preoccupied only with the Hereafter and having no
interest in the world, in the service of Allah's temple, worshipping in great
devotion, one whose worship is not tainted by worldly aims."1
True freedom can be
attained only by serving Allah, surrendering to Him, and freeing oneself from
all service to any other beings or values. This is what 'Imran's wife prayed
for when dedicating Maryam to Allah, for she wished her daughter to be someone who
served only Allah and who did not seek her people's or society's acceptance.
Right after Maryam's birth,
her mother turned toward Allah, sought His good pleasure, and asked Him to
protect Maryam, as well as her children, from Satan's evil. Allah accepted this
wholehearted prayer "and made her
[Maryam] grow in health and beauty" (Surah Al
'Imran: 37). In other words, Maryam received the best upbringing and the most
superior character.
Maryam's mother's
wholehearted faith in Allah, acceptance of only Allah as her mentor, constant
turning toward Him, and her genuine surrender to Him are very important
examples upon which all believers should reflect.
Allah gave Prophet
Zakariyya (as) sincere faith and exalted him, and guided him to the righteous
path. Allah compliments him and points out his devotion, his proper fear and
respect of Him, and his superior character:
And
Zakariyya, Yahya, 'Isa, and Ilyas. All of them were among the believers. And
Isma'il, al-Yasa', Yunus, and Lut. All of them We favored over all beings. And
some of their forebears, descendants, and brothers; We chose them and guided
them to a straight path. (Surat al An'am: 85-87)
The Qur'an reveals that
Allah made Prophet Zakariyya (as) responsible for educating Maryam. He
fulfilled this trust, witnessed the many miracles in her life, and noticed that
she was favored over all other people. He saw how Allah's grace supported her
and met all of her needs. For example:
And
Zakariyya became her guardian. Every time Zakariyya visited her in the
sanctuary, he found food with her. He asked: "Maryam, how did you come by
this?" She said: "It is from Allah. Allah provides for whoever He
wills without any reckoning." (Surah Al 'Imran: 37)
Maryam's answer to his
question testifies to Allah's grace and providence.
Maryam was a most devout
Muslim who genuinely dedicated herself to our Lord, praised His name, and
turned toward Him in prayer constantly throughout her life. Just as Allah chose
'Imran's family above all others, He chose Maryam and ensured that she would be
educated in the best manner, purified from all wickedness, and preferred above
all other women. Allah relates her superiority:
And when
the angels said: "Maryam, Allah has chosen you and purified you. He has
chosen you over all other women. Maryam, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow
with those who bow." (Surah Al 'Imran: 42-43)
Maryam, like the rest of
her family, was known among her people for her devotion to Allah as well as her
religiosity, chastity, and sincerity. Allah speaks of her as someone obedient
to Him.
And
Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity-We breathed Our Spirit
into her. She confirmed the Words of her Lord and His Book, and was one of the
obedient. (Surat at-Tahrim: 12)
… and she
who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her some of Our Spirit and made her
and her son a Sign for all the worlds. (Surat al-Anbiya': 91)
Maryam Meets Jibril
Maryam experienced many
miracles throughout her life. One of these was her meeting with Jibril. Once,
when she left her family and society and went toward the east, she met Jibril,
who appeared to her in the form of a well-built
man:
Mention
Maryam in the Book, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place and
concealed herself from them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her, and it took on for
her the form of a handsome, well-built man. (Surah Maryam: 16-17)
Not knowing who this man
was, she sought refuge with Allah and told him that she held Allah in the
utmost fear and respect: "She said: 'I
seek refuge from you with the All-Merciful, [leave me] if you have fear [and
respect] of Allah'" (Surah Maryam: 18). Her
words clearly demonstrate her complete trust in Allah, as well as the
importance she placed upon chastity and devotion to Allah. Her words not only
expressed all of this, but also called upon this unknown man to have fear and
respect of Allah.
Jibril introduced himself
with the following words: "I am only
your Lord's messenger [an angel] so that He can give you a pure boy" (Surah
Maryam: 19). As the Qur'an recounts:
When the
angels said: "Maryam, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him.
His name is the Messiah, 'Isa, son of Maryam, of high esteem in this world and
the Hereafter, and one of those brought near." (Surah Al 'Imran: 45)
He said:
"It will be so." Your Lord says: "That is easy for Me. It is so
that We can make him a Sign for humanity and a mercy from Us. It is a matter
already decreed." So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant
place. (Surah Maryam: 21-22)
By Allah's will, Maryam
became pregnant with Prophet 'Isa (as) and yet remained a virgin. Her pregnancy
was independent of this world's usual cause-and-effect relationship. The
circumstances of his conception were among the features of Prophet 'Isa's (as)
miracles.
Allah reveals "So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a
distant place"(Surah Maryam: 22). In this distant place to which she retreated,
Allah supported her with His grace and protection and met all of her material
and psychological needs during her pregnancy.
No doubt, Maryam withdrew
from her society for many reasons. For example, Allah removed her from her
people's criticism, for they could not understand her miraculous situation.
This also enabled her to spend this period in a state of contentment and peace.
Later on, by another miracle, Allah revealed her miraculous circumstances,
refuted all of the accusations and slanders directed toward her, and restored
her impeccable reputation.
Allah fully supported
Maryam throughout her pregnancy. It is very difficult for a woman to give
birth, a potentially life-threatening experience, all alone, without medical
equipment or a midwife's assistance. Nevertheless, Maryam overcame all of these
difficulties by placing her complete trust in Allah. Allah helped her with
revelations while she was struggling toward a date tree in the full throes of
labor pains. Allah told her not to grieve, that He had placed a stream at her
feet, and that she should shake the date tree in order to get freshly ripe
dates to eat. He also told her to drink and to delight her eyes. As a result,
she gave birth in the best possible circumstances. Allah reveals her situation:
The pains
of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: "Oh, if
only I had died before this time and was something discarded and
forgotten!" A voice called out to her from under her: "Do not grieve.
Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm
toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink, and
delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a
vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and [so] today I will not speak to any
human being.'" (Surah Maryam: 23-26)
Allah's grace and
protection was clearly visible in this situation. In fact, His advice to her
has been confirmed by modern science. We now analyze this advice in some
detail.
As stated earlier, Maryam
withdrew from her society so that she could be in a psychologically peaceful
environment and away from the hurtful behavior of people who could not
comprehend her miraculous situation.
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One of Giovanni Bellini's masterworks, "Frari Triptych," 1488, is displayed in the Church of Frari, Venice, Italy. |
Allah told her not to
grieve and bestowed His grace and protection upon her. No doubt, there was much
wisdom in this advice, just as there was in Maryam's withdrawal to a distant
place. Muslims must not surrender to sadness; rather, they are to trust in
Allah and feel the peace of mind that comes with knowing that Allah will always
help them.
This attitude, which is
required of all believers, has been confirmed by modern medicine, for doctors
tell women, both during their pregnancy and while they are giving birth, to
maintain a positive attitude and avoid any sadness and stress. His advice to delight her eyes means not to surrender to
sadness and to enjoy the news of Allah's gift.
Allah advised Maryam to eat
freshly ripened dates. Today, such dates are considered to be food and
medicine. Scientists now know that dates contain more than ten substances
considered essential for the human body's well-being and continuing health.
Dates contain plenty of the
easily digested and absorbed sugars that give the human body its energy for
heat and movement. More importantly, these sugars are of the fructose type and
not of the glucose type, which quickly raises the blood-sugar levels. Dates provide
energy, help muscle tissues and nerve cells develop, and are especially
beneficial for people weakened by illness or those suffering from exhaustion,
because of their high caloric value. For example, 100 grams of dates contain
1.5 grams of protein and 50 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, their caloric
value is 225 kcal. Fresh dates have a 60-65 percent sugar content and a 2
percent protein content.
Modern medical findings
suggest that dates benefit women who are almost ready to give birth. Doctors now
advise pregnant women to take fructose-containing foods on their due dates, for
such foods provide energy used by the weakened body to revitalize itself, have
a trigger effect on the milk hormones and thus help the woman's body produce
milk, and also increase the volume of that milk.
This information reveals some of the wisdom inherent in Allah's
advice to Maryam. Another matter worth reflecting upon is the little stream
created by Allah and His advice for her to eat and drink. Now, scientists
inform us that people can survive on dates and water for years, because they
contain all of the necessary essentials for human life.2 In fact, one renowned expert on the subject, V. H. W. Dowson, suggests
that one glass of milk and one date per day provides a person's daily
nutritional requirements.3
Dates contain various
vitamins (e.g., A, beta-carotene, B1, B2, B3, and B6) and minerals, (e.g.,
sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber, iron, sulphur, phosphorus, and
chlorine) and are also rich in fiber, fats, and proteins. Some of the ensuing
benefits are as follows:
A date's nutritional value
is based on the balance between its minerals. During the prolonged period of
morning sickness and the altering physiognomy, a shortage of potassium occurs and needs to be
supplemented. This fruit's high potassium content is certainly welcome here, as
its role in preserving the body's water levels.
Iron controls
the red blood cells' synthesis of hemoglobin, which prevents anemia during
pregnancy and also regulates the blood's RBC balance, which is so crucial for
the baby's development. Due to its high iron content, one-and-a-half dates can
meet the body's total iron requirement and thus prevent all complaints caused
by a lack of iron.
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Allah's advice to Maryam to eat dates could be an indication to their beneficial vitamins and minerals. |
Calcium and phosphorus are very important elements
in developing and balancing the skeleton and the bone structures. Dates protect
the body from anemia and weak bones, and thus reduce the risk of such illnesses
with their high nutritional value and high phosphorus, calcium, andiron content.
Scientists
point out that dates can reduce stress and tension levels. Research done at
Berkeley University revealed that dates are rich in vitamin B1 (the "nerve
vitamin") and magnesium (essential for muscle functions), both of which
are essential for a strong nervous system. Magnesium is also
very important for the kidneys, and two or three dates per day are enough to
meet all of the human body's magnesium requirements.4
Dates also contain folic acid (vitamin B9),
which is essential for pregnant women, due to its important role in forming new
blood cells, producing amino acids, and developing new cells. As a result, a
pregnant woman needs double the usual daily amount of folic acid. If the body's
folic acid levels fall below the required amount, bigger but less functional
red blood cells are formed and anemia occurs.
Folic acid, which is
crucial to developing the cell's genetic makeup and division, is the only
substance that must be doubled during pregnancy. Dates are very rich in folic
acid.
During
pregnancy, a woman's daily vitamin A requirement
increases to 800 ug. Dates are very rich in the foremost vitamin A:
beta-carotene.5
Most
other fruits are protein-poor, but dates have good protein content.6
Oxytocin is used
in modern medicine to accelerate labor and is often referred as "rapid
birth." It also increases the level of milk production following birth.7
Our
Prophet (saas) pointed out the benefits of dates in the following hadith: A family that has dates will not be hungry.8 This is a piece of very good advice.
All of our current
information on dates reveals Allah's infinite wisdom and grace upon Maryam,
who, inspired by Allah, satisfied all of her nutritional needs by eating dates
and thereby eased her child's birth. (Allah knows best.)
Allah told Maryam that He
had placed a stream by her feet to eat, drink, and delight her eyes.
Water, like dates, eases
labor pains and regulates muscle tension. In fact, some modern birth clinics
have pools in which the delivery takes place.
Water,
which is necessary for life and one's physical well-being, plays an important
role in regulating the body's temperature, transporting nutritional elements
and oxygen, and removing waste matter from the body's cells. It also ensures
the healthy movement of joints, skin moisture and elasticity, the digestive
system, and protects tissues and organs. Water is becoming more widely used in
therapy by the day. Contact with water stimulates the immune system, increases
anti-stress hormone production, reduces pain, and stimulates blood circulation
and metabolism.9
Water is important during
pregnancy for several reasons. At that time, water intake is especially
necessary because the volume of blood increases and because of the developing
baby's needs. Women who choose to breast-feed need plenty of water to produce the
necessary amount of milk. Considering that 87 percent of this milk is water, we
can see how important this production is.
Water also maintains the
electrolyte balances in the blood of the mother and the child. Hormones
released during pregnancy alter the way various body fluids are used. Toward
the end of the woman's pregnancy, blood volume increases 150 percent, and the
loss of water through breathing is much greater. The amnion fluid, in which the
baby grows, is renewed every three hours. However, it can decrease, as in the
case of dehydration caused by insufficient water intake.
Dehydration during
pregnancy also can cause premature labor. Some hormones released in such
situations imitate the hormones that trigger labor pains. Cases in which
premature birth is a significant risk are treated by giving fluids through the
veins, a procedure that highlights the importance of water intake. Such
premature tensions are often cured by this fluid therapy.
Water also forms the human body's transport system. Via the
bloodstream, it carries food and oxygen to the embryo and helps prevent some common
infections that can cause miscarriage or premature labor and birth. Sufficient
water intake reduces the risks of such infections.10 Doctors inform their patients that their water requirement
increases by 50 percent during pregnancy. If the water intake is insufficient,
the body reduces the quantity of some fluids, which, in turn, causes various
complaints.11
Modern science shows once
more the wisdom in Allah's creation of the stream for Maryam and His advice to
eat dates and drink water. All of this is evidence of Allah's infinite
knowledge.
Allah
tells Maryam to shake the date tree toward her when she was headed toward it in
her labor pains. (Surah Maryam: 25)
Doctors
say that pulling something toward oneself during labor can have a positive
effect on the muscles. In order to ease labor pains and help bring about a safe
delivery, women are advised to do certain exercises that reduce pressure in the
body and, therefore, the risk of complications during delivery. They are also
thought to quicken the process of giving birth.12
Doctors suggest that in the
second stage of labor, the woman's head should be slightly raised to take
advantage of gravity. Thus, hospital delivery rooms have beds with suitably
placed handles and footrests that enable pregnant women to give birth in the most
comfortable position.
Other
practitioners advise their patients to squat or sit on specially adapted birth
chairs. Before recent technological developments, some birth rooms featured a
rope hanging from the ceiling, which the expectant mother was to use to try and
pull herself up, thus helping the birth process. All of these methods are
theoretically and logically helpful.13 Perhaps this is why Allah told Maryam to pull and shake the date
tree. (Allah knows best.)
When Maryam returned with
Prophet 'Isa (as), her people could not comprehend Allah's miracle. Thus, they
accused her of indecency and slandered her, even though they knew that she,
being a member of 'Imran's family, was devout, held Allah in great fear and
respect, had an immaculate character, and always protected her modesty. Allah
reveals some of these slanders:
She
brought him to her people, carrying him. They exclaimed: "Maryam! You have
done an unthinkable thing! Sister of Harun, your father was not an evil man nor
was your mother an unchaste woman!" (Surah Maryam: 27-28)
No doubt, this was a trial
for Maryam, for she had to face such accusations despite being a chaste woman
who held Allah in the greatest respect and awe. These people ignored her
impeccable character and honorable conduct, despite her own reputation and that
of her family, and so, as always, she turned toward Allah, and trusted in Him,
knowing that He would defend her in the best possible way.
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Gentile da Fabriano's painting in the gothic style, depicts Maryam (1423). The altarpiece was commissioned by the Strozzi family for the Church of Santa Trinita in Florence. |
Allah, Who always answered
her prayers with generosity and compassion, gave her inner peace during this
trial. Knowing that Allah would exonerate her completely, Allah inspired her to
make a vow: "If you should
see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the
All-Merciful, and today I will not speak to any human being'" (Surah Maryam: 26). This is what she told her people.
After this, she only
pointed to Prophet 'Isa (as), about whom Allah said through Jibril: "He will speak to people in the cradle and when
fully grown, and will be one of the believers" (Surah Al
'Imran: 46), when people confronted and slandered her.
Allah showed her people a
great miracle by enabling Prophet 'Isa (as) to speak while he was still a baby
in the cradle. Through his words, Allah exonerated his mother Maryam and also
introduced Prophet 'Isa (as) as one of His Prophets sent to the Israelites:
She
pointed toward him. They asked: "How can a baby in the cradle speak?"
He ['Isa] said: "I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and
made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am, directed me to perform
prayer and give alms [zakat] as long as I live, and to show devotion to my
mother. He has not made me insolent or arrogant. Peace be upon me the day I was
born and the day I die, and the day I am raised up again alive." That is
'Isa, son of Maryam, the Word of Truth about which they are in doubt. (Surah
Maryam: 29-34)
This miracle amazed
Maryam's people. By saying: "… and she
who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her some of Our Spirit and made her
and her son a Sign for all the worlds" (Surat
al-Anbiya': 91), Allah made both of them superior to all other people. Maryam's
superior character, honor, and purity were revealed through this speech, and those
who had slandered her were defeated.
By saying: "And We made the son of Maryam and his mother a Sign
and gave them shelter on a mountainside where there was a meadow and a flowing
spring" (Surat al-Mu'minun: 50), He reveals that Prophet 'Isa (as) and
Maryam continued to live under His grace after these events.
These miracles showed the
Israelites that Allah had made Maryam and Prophet 'Isa (as) superior to other
people. In fact, Allah reveals that those who continued to slander Maryam would
be punished severely:
And on
account of their unbelief, their utterance of a monstrous slander against
Maryam, and their saying: "We killed the Messiah, 'Isa, son of Maryam,
Messenger of Allah." They did not kill him and they did not crucify him,
but it was made to seem so to them. Those who argue about him are in doubt
about it. They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture. But they
certainly did not kill him. (Surat an-Nisa': 156-57)
Maryam is a role model for
all Muslim women because she maintained her impeccable character throughout her
life. Allah raised her like a lovely plant, to use
the Qur'an's expression, and gave her a very important responsibility. Allah
chose her, just as He chose 'Imran's family, made her one person in this
lineage of the most devout and faithful people, and had her raised by these
virtuous people.
He then gave her the
character of a chosen and superior Prophet by entrusting her education to
Prophet Zakariyya (as). When she reached this level of maturity, Allah began to
show her His miracles, and she clearly saw His grace, protection, and mercy
upon herself. One example of this support and grace was that she found food on
the altar whenever she worshipped Him. Later on, Allah introduced her to
Jibril, who told her about Allah's grace on her with his own words.
Maryam demonstrated her
genuine devotion and loyalty to Allah through her impeccable virtue and
behavior. She also expressed her profound and genuine devotion to Him through
her determination, devotion, and unconditional surrender to His will.
Being alone in moments of
great difficulty was a great trial for her, because she had no one to help,
support, or guide her. Usually, lonely people surrender to helplessness and
sadness. But Maryam did not, for she placed all of her hope and trust only in Allah.
She constantly sought His
help and knew that she only needed to obey Him and follow His guidance. She
never gave in to hopelessness and depression, no matter how difficult the
trial, because she had surrendered wholeheartedly to Allah in the knowledge
that He would turn all adversities into good and end the hardship in the best
manner. And with every difficulty, Allah gave her a solution, supported her
with His grace and help, and turned all hardships into goodness and beauty.
Her inexperience was also
an important aspect of her trial. She became pregnant and delivered her child
all alone. Totally alone and ignorant of what to do, she resisted pessimism and
displayed her great strength, willpower, and determination. In addition, she
had the peace of mind characteristic of those who know that Allah supports them
with the most perfect gifts. Thus He eased her burden and helped her to
succeed.
Another sign of Maryam's
superior character was the patience she showed while fulfilling her difficult
responsibilities. Her unbelieving people tried her patience by failing to grasp
her superior and honorable position, viewing her according to their own
misguided knowledge, and accusing her of things that she had not done. Here,
too, she showed her patience and complete faith in Allah. She did not
compromise her strength, willpower, and integrity, knowing full well that Allah
controls everything and thus would exonerate her.
Another noticeable
character trait was her total lack of interest in winning her people's acceptance.
She had surrendered to Allah with a pure faith, and was therefore unaffected by
their accusations and comments. Given her faith and devotion, all she strove to
do was to behave in the way that would earn Allah's good pleasure. As a result,
Allah rewarded her with His grace.
There are two ways of
conveying one's good character to others: through words and through moral
behavior. The second way is far more effective and valuable, for it is the
genuine way and cannot be imitated. One's life and behavior can reflect one's
belief only if it is genuinely alive in one's heart.
Maryam displayed this
superior morality and became a role model and a living invitation to religion
through her faith, behavior, and character. Her genuine call is answered in the
best possible way, Allah willing. The believers' faith continues to deepen as they
follow Maryam's example and try to emulate her character.
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