Mary and Her Mother: Faith Before Jesus’ Birth

Introduction

The story of Mary, known in Arabic as مريم بنت عمران, is one of the most remarkable stories mentioned in the Quran. It is a story of deep faith, purity, and devotion that began even before Mary was born, when her mother made a sincere vow to dedicate her child to the service of God.

This story is not merely a historical narrative; it is a powerful example of how sincere faith and prayer can shape the course of history. Through this story, the Quran also prepares the reader for the miraculous birth of one of the greatest prophets of God, Jesus, known in Arabic as عيسى بن مريم.

The Vow of Mary’s Mother

The story begins with Mary’s mother, a righteous woman known in Islamic tradition as Hannah (in Arabic: Hanna bint Fāqūdh). She was a devout woman who longed to have a child. With sincere faith, she prayed to God and made a remarkable promise: if God blessed her with a child, she would dedicate that child entirely to the service of God in the sacred place of worship.

The Quran describes her prayer:

“When the wife of ‘Imran said: My Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb, dedicated to Your service, so accept it from me. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
(Quran 3:35)

Her intention was that her child would grow up serving in the sacred temple, devoted to worship and spiritual life.

The Birth of Mary

When the child was born, Mary’s mother discovered that the baby was a girl, not a boy. At that time, the service of the temple was usually reserved for males, so she felt some concern.

The Quran narrates this moment:

“When she delivered her, she said: My Lord, I have delivered a female— and God knew better what she had delivered.”
(Quran 3:36)

Despite this, Mary’s mother remained faithful to her vow. She named the child Mary and asked God to protect her and her descendants from evil.

She prayed:

“And I have named her Mary, and I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the rejected.”

This prayer would have profound significance for the future.

God Accepts Mary

God accepted Mary and granted her a blessed upbringing.

The Quran says:

“So her Lord accepted her with a gracious acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner.”
(Quran 3:37)

Mary was raised with special care and divine blessing. Her upbringing was not ordinary; it was guided by God’s wisdom and protection.

One of the signs of this care was that a prophet of God was chosen to look after her.

The Care of Prophet Zechariah

Mary was placed under the care of the prophet Zechariah, known in Arabic as زكريا. He was a righteous prophet who served in the sanctuary.

Whenever Zechariah visited Mary in her place of worship, he found food with her that no one had brought.

The Quran says:

“Whenever Zechariah entered upon her in the sanctuary, he found provisions with her.”

Surprised, he asked:

“O Mary, where did this come from?”

She answered with complete faith:

“It is from God. Indeed, God provides for whom He wills without measure.”

Mary grew up known for her devotion, purity, and deep connection with God.

God Chooses Mary

As Mary matured, her devotion and purity became widely recognized. Eventually, God honored her with a unique status.

The Quran says:

“O Mary, indeed God has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”
(Quran 3:42)

This divine selection was not only a great honor but also a preparation for an extraordinary event that would soon take place.

The Great Announcement

One day, the angel Gabriel came to Mary with astonishing news: she would give birth to a blessed child.

Mary was surprised and said:

“How can I have a son when no man has touched me?”

The angel explained that this would happen by God’s command.

The Quran says:

“Thus does God create what He wills.”
(Quran 3:47)

This announcement marked the beginning of one of the greatest miracles in human history.

The Birth of Jesus

Mary gave birth to Jesus, known in Arabic as عيسى بن مريم, through a miraculous act of God without a father.

The Quran explains:

“Indeed, the example of Jesus in the sight of God is like that of Adam.”
(Quran 3:59)

Just as God created Adam without a father or mother, He created Jesus without a father.

This miraculous birth became a powerful sign of God’s unlimited power.

Mary as a Model of Faith

Mary was not honored only because she was the mother of a prophet. She was honored because of her faith, patience, and devotion to God.

She faced great trials and accusations from her people, yet she remained steadfast and relied on God.

Because of her extraordinary story, the Quran even includes a chapter named after her: Surah Maryam.

Lessons from the Story of Mary and Her Mother

The story of Mary and her mother offers several important lessons:

1. The Power of Prayer

Mary’s story began with the sincere prayer of her mother.

2. The Importance of Faithful Upbringing

A strong spiritual upbringing can shape great individuals.

3. Trust in God

Mary always recognized that her blessings came from God.

4. God’s Unlimited Power

The miraculous birth of Jesus reminds believers that God’s power has no limits.

Conclusion

The story of Mary and her mother is not just a historical account. It is a story of faith, patience, and trust in God.

It began with the sincere prayer of a devoted mother, continued with the upbringing of a pure and faithful young woman, and ultimately led to the miraculous birth of one of God’s greatest prophets.

Through this story, the Quran teaches that sincere faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes. The life of Mary, daughter of Imran, stands as a timeless example of devotion, purity, and trust in God—and it marks the beginning of the remarkable story of Jesus, son of Mary.

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