Maryam

Maryam (as) was chosen by Allah before she entered the world. Her mother the wife of Imran had prayed for a child she would dedicate entirely to the service of Allah and His sacred house.

The Quran records Allah's words about Maryam: "O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds." (3:42)

She grew up in the temple under the care of the prophet Zakariyya ﷺ. Every time he entered her prayer chamber the mihrab he found food that no one had brought her. He asked: "O Maryam, from where is this coming to you?" She replied: "It is from Allah. Indeed Allah provides for whom He wills without account." (3:37)

She was not a prophet but she was the Siddiqah the truthful and righteous one (Quran 5:75) and the most honoured woman in all of creation.

One day, Maryam withdrew from her family to a place in the east a private, secluded place. Allah then sent the angel Jibreel (as) to her.

When she saw a figure approach, she was frightened and said: "I seek refuge in Allah from you, if you are righteous."

The angel replied: "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy."

Maryam was astonished: "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"

The angel said: "Such is the case your Lord says: It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign for the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter already decreed." (19:21)

And she accepted. Completely. With full faith. "Maryam, who guarded her chastity so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel." (66:12)

When the time of birth came, Maryam ﷺ went to a faraway place alone. She was in pain, exhausted, and deeply distressed. She cried: "I wish I had died before this and was forgotten, completely forgotten." (19:23)

In that moment of complete vulnerability Allah answered her.

A voice came from below: "Do not grieve your Lord has provided beneath you a stream." (19:24)

Then: "Shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates." (19:25)

Water from the earth. Dates from a palm tree. Food and drink, provided by Allah, in her hardest moment. She was not alone. She was never alone.

Allah told Maryam: "So eat and drink and be content. And if you see any human being, say: Indeed I have vowed to the Most Merciful a fast [of speech], so I will not speak to anyone today." (19:26)

She returned to her people carrying her newborn son. The people were shocked and angry. They accused her of something terrible.

But Maryam did not argue. She did not defend herself with words. She had been commanded to fast from speech to trust Allah completely. She simply pointed to the baby.

They were astonished: "How can we speak to one who is an infant in the cradle?" (19:29)

And then the baby spoke.

The infant Isa ﷺ spoke from his cradle a miracle to defend his mother's honour.

He said: "Indeed I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and charity for as long as I live and dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace be upon me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive." (19:30-33)

A newborn baby. Speaking clearly. Declaring: I am a servant of Allah. Defending his mother. Announcing his prophethood.

Maryam was vindicated. Completely. By a miracle from Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "The best of women among the people of paradise is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, and Fatimah bint Muhammad, and Maryam bint Imran, and Asiyah bint Muzahim." (Sahih Muslim 2430)

In another narration: "Sufficient for you among the women of the world are Maryam bint Imran, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, and Asiyah." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3878)

Maryam was not a prophet she was something the Quran describes with a specific word: Siddiqah the truthful, sincere, and fully devoted. (Quran 5:75)

Her trust, her patience, her purity all preserved in the Quran for all time. An entire surah. Named after her. Recited by billions.

She said yes to Allah when the entire world would have said no. That is what made her the most honoured of all women.