Maryam

The only woman named

Maryam (AS) holds an unparalleled position among women in Islam. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an, appearing 34 times, and Surah Maryam (Chapter 19) is named in her honor — the only chapter of the Qur'an named after a woman. She was dedicated to Allah before she was born — the Qur'an introduces her through her mother's vow: "my Lord, I dedicate what is in my womb entirely to Your service" (Surah Aal Imran, 3:35). Allah's reception of that girl is recorded as: so her Lord accepted her with a beautiful acceptance, and blessed her with a pleasant upbringing (Surah Aal Imran, 3:37). Later, Maryam(AS) is uniquely described as chosen above all women. "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of all the worlds." (Surah Aal Imran, 3:42)

It is from Allah

Her guardian Zakariya(AS) kept finding provision with her in the sanctuary that no one had brought. "O Maryam, from where does this come to you?" he asked. Her answer, still young, was already her whole creed: "it is from Allah; indeed Allah provides for whom He wills without account" (Surah Aal Imran, 3:37). This scene demonstrates Allah's special care for Maryam(AS) inspires Zakariya(AS)'s own prayer for a child in old age. "Zakariya called upon his Lord" (Surah Aal Imran, 3:38), resulting in a son who would become prophet Yahya(AS).

The angel's visit

The angel Jibril appeared to Maryam(AS) in human form. Initially frightened, she sought refuge in Allah. He said: "I am only the messenger of your Lord, to grant you a pure son" (Surah Maryam, 19:19). She asked: "how can I have a son when no man has touched me, and I have not been unchaste?" (Surah Maryam, 19:20). The angel replied: "so it will be; your Lord says, it is easy for Me" (Surah Maryam, 19:21). Thus, the miraculous conception occurred solely by Allah's command.

Would that I had died before this

The birth of Isa(AS) came in real pain, not miraculous ease. She withdrew alone, and the labor drove her to a date palm, where she cried out: "would that I had died before this, and been forgotten, forgotten entirely" (Surah Maryam, 19:23). Allah answered that anguish with provision at the exact moment when she had no help: a stream beneath her, and ripe dates shaken loose from the very tree she leaned against (Surah Maryam, 19:24–26). A chosen woman cared for by Allah during her hardest trial.

Vindication before her people

Then came the next trial: a child by Allah's decree alone, and a people ready to condemn her. She carried her son to her people in silence and let the cradle answer — and it did: "indeed, I am the servant of Allah; He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet" (Surah Maryam, 19:30), the infant's own testimony, publicly clearing his mother's name.

Protected from Satan at birth

Her purity was not only praised — it was singular. The Prophet ﷺ said: "no child is born but that Satan touches it at birth, whereupon it cries out from the touch — except Mary and her son" (Bukhari 3431/4548; Muslim 2366, agreed upon). Of every human being ever born, only Maryam and Isa were spared that touch entirely. The narrator himself pointed back to where this began — her mother's prayer, spoken before Maryam had even drawn breath: "I seek refuge for her and her offspring from the outcast Satan" (Surah Aal Imran, 3:36). A mother's du'a, answered so completely that it shaped her daughter's very birth.

One of the greatest women - an example for all who believe

The Prophet ﷺ placed her among the best of all women: "the best of its women is Maryam bint Imran, and the best of its women is Khadijah" (Bukhari 3432). A fuller narration widens the circle to four: Maryam, Asiyah — the wife of Pharaoh who chose faith inside a tyrant's own house — Khadijah(RA), and Fatimah(RA) (Bukhari 3411). Four women, from four different centuries and four entirely different trials, named together as the standard for humanity.

Allah does not only honor her through the words of His Prophet ﷺ — He holds her up Himself, directly, in revelation: "Allah presents an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh... and Maryam, daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity" (Surah al-Tahrim, 66:11–12). Her example is not reserved for women; the Qur'an offers it to every believer, of either gender. The shape faith is supposed to take: guarded, trusting, and unwavering under pressure.

In earlier scriptures

She is Mary of the Gospels, Miryam in Hebrew — the same name as the sister of Moses and Aaron, which is exactly the naming custom Muslim 2135 describes. The Qur'an and the New Testament share the core of her story — the virgin birth, the angel's visit, her selection by God — but part ways on what followed: mainstream Christianity holds her as Theotokos, Mother of God, given her son's divinity; Islam affirms her miraculous motherhood and her unmatched purity while confirming, as it confirms of Isa himself, that she is not to be worshipped.