Mary in Islam (مريم “Maryam” in
Arabic), the mother of Jesus, is considered the most righteous woman in
Islam. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an – her name
is mentioned more than it is in the New Testament.[1]
The Qur’an speaks of Mary called Miriam in Arabic) not only as the mother of Jesus, but as the most righteous woman ever. There is even a chapter of the Qur’an named for her (the 19th chapter of the Qur’an).
According to the Qur’an, Jesus was
born miraculously by the will of God without a father. His mother is
regarded as a chaste and virtuous woman and is a highly respected figure
in Islam. The Qur’anstates that Jesus was the result of a virgin birth, but that neither Mary nor her son was divine.
In the Qur’an, no other woman is given more attention than Mary. Thenineteenth sura of the Qur’an is named after her and is, to some extent, about her life. Of the Qur’an’s 114 suras, she is among only eight people who have a sura named after them. In Islam, she is generally referred to as Maryam, Umm Isa (Mary, the mother of Jesus).
For Muslims she is a symbol of submission to God and piety. Mary is one of the most highly-regarded women in Islam; there are several verses in the Qur’an praising her and confirming that she was an extremely chaste and pious woman.
Here are some direct quotations from the Qur’an regarding Mary
“Relate
in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a
place in the East. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them.
Then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all
respects. She said, ‘I seek refuge from you to God Most Gracious! Do not
come near me, if you fear God!’ He said, ‘No, I am only a messenger
from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a holy son.’ She said,
‘How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not
unchaste?’ He said, ‘So (it will be). Your Lord says, ‘That is easy for
Me, and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men, and a Mercy from
Us. It is a matter (so) decreed'” (19:16-21, the Chapter of Mary).
“Behold!
The angels said, ‘Oh Mary! God has chosen you and purified you, chosen
you above the women of all nations. Oh Mary! Worship your Lord devoutly.
Prostrate yourself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down'”
(3:42-43).
“And
(remember) she who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her of Our
spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples (21:91).
[While
describing people who were good examples for others] “…And Mary, the
daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity. And We breathed into (her
body) of Our spirit. She testified to the truth of the words of her Lord
and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)” (66:12).
“Christ,
the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers
that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had
both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to
them; yet see in what ways they are
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