Maryam (مَرْيَم)

Surah Maryam is undoubtedly one of the most invigorating chapters in the Book of Allah. Named after Maryam, the mother of Prophet Isa (عَلَیهِ‌ السَّلام). Surah Maryam was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in Makkah to warn Christians from deviating from the religion sent down by Allah through Isa (عَلَیهِ‌ السَّلام). It has 98 ayahs (verses), which are divided into 6 Ruku/Juz. In the division of the Holy Quran, it is in the 16th Para/Juz – it comes immediately after Surah al-Kahf and before Surah Ta-Ha.

Surah Maryam was revealed when the hostility of the Quraish was escalating before the Hijrah to Medina (Yathrib) by the Messenger (ﷺ). Several scholars related authentic narrations of Hadith that showed that this surah was revealed at the time before the first migration to Abyssinia. Ja'afar ibn Abi Talib (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) recited the first verses from 19:1-40 of this surah to the court of the Negus when the Muslims had been summoned after their migration. 

The detailed account of the life of Maryam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and her miraculous birth to Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is an alluring feature of this surah as it negates the previously distorted yet prevalent beliefs of Christians. The surah also recounts the stories of other Islamic prophets, such as Zakariya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Yahya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). These stories and accounts all tie in to criticize the deviations created by the believers of previous revelations.

Surah Maryam belongs to the category of only 29 surahs that start with the Huroof al-Muqatta'at or the Disjointed Letters. From the perspective of scholars, these letters are odd and mysterious. Although they invite interest, scholars advise that digging deep into their meanings is not appropriate, as the true authentic meanings of these letters are known only to Allah. This surah also has the highest frequency of appearance of Allah's name, Ar-Rahman - The Exceedingly Compassionate. This surah has the highest frequency of words derived from R-H-M (ر ح م) in comparison to any other Surah. Surah Maryam contains ayah of recommended Sajda (19:58). This is the longest verse in this surah, which contains 29 words.

The Theme of Surah Maryam (مَرْيَم): Tawhid, Prophethood and Miracles

The subject of Surah Maryam (مَرْيَم) is centralized on Allah's Prophets and the  true message and teachings that were revealed to them. It highlights the creed of Islamic figures such as Zakariya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Yahya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his mother Maryam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), as well as Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The surah also stresses the importance of inheriting the din “faith” from parents to their descendants, as seen with Zakariya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Yahya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and Maryam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Each of their stories exemplifies their dedication to Tawhid, the worship of Allah alone. 

The surah begins with Prophet Zakariya's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) prayer for a son, leading to the miraculous birth of Yahya. It then details Maryam's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encounter with the angel Jibril, who announces the birth of Isa despite her being a virgin, underscoring Allah's power and mercy. In 98 verses, similar historical stories are relayed to solidify the Islamic belief system on Tawhid and the negation of Shirk.

The most persistent theme of this surah is the warning to Christians. It revolves around the universal message of all prophets, which was to worship only one true God, calling the Christians to renounce the Trinity and adopt Tawhid. The opening of the previous Surah Al-Kahf against deifying Jesus Christ continues into the next Surah Maryam, in which Allah declares it unbecoming for Him to have a son, emphasizing the concept of the Oneness of God.

These stories and calls to believe in Tawhid weave within them the reality of the Hereafter as the ultimate consequence for disbelievers. It is expressed by words, urging man to acknowledge his Lordship and prepare himself against the Day of Judgment. Verses 66-72 deal with the incredulity of disbelievers about resurrection, hence envisaging the certainty of life after death and inviting man to a righteous life.

As a whole, Surah Maryam soothes the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and those believing in him, drawing an analogy between his sufferings and those of other prophets before him and then extending to the hardships of the early Muslims, underlining that divine favor must certainly win for their cause. The divine assurance gives strength to their faith in Allah and to the resolution of His Messenger, including his followers, in adversity.

Virtues of Reciting and Understanding Surah Maryam

The themes of the Mercy of Allah, the miraculous births of prophets, and the creed of the steadfastness of Prophets are much-needed lessons for those on the journey of Islam. Frequently reciting this surah and indulging in its meaning in-depth can help believers reaffirm and strengthen their faith. The stories of faith and reliance on Allah remind one to persevere in the face of all worldly adversities. 

Reflecting on the miraculous events in the lives of past prophets can lead the readers of the Quran to recognize the signs of Allah's mercy, inspiring them to live according to His guidance. Surah Maryam grounds the Imaan of those struggling, allowing them to reinforce their Tawakkul in Allah. The story of Umm Isa, Maryam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), inspires gratitude and Tawakkul, so much so that even Allah's Beloved Messenger said:

(Narrated by `Ali) "Mary, the daughter of `Imran, was the best among the women (of the world of her time) and Khadija is the best amongst the women. (of this nation)." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3432)

The importance and relevance of Surah Maryam can be realized with the following narrations of authentic Hadiths. Narrated Ibn Mas'ud, "Surat Bani Israel, Al-Kahf, and Maryam are among my first old property." (Sahih al-Bukhari 4708).

In another version, `Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated, "Surah Bani-Israel, Al-Kahf (The Cave), Maryam, Taha, Al-Anbiya' (The prophets) are amongst my first earnings and my old property, and (in fact) they are my old property." (Sahih al-Bukhari 4994) [Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Bari (8/388): "What Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) meant was that they were among the first parts of the Quran that he learned and that they have a special virtue because they contain stories of the prophets (peace and blessing be upon them) and the nations."] 

With these narrations, it is understood that Surah Maryam is among the most close Surahs to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).