Maryam bint 'Imran: The Mother of 'Isa
Sisters' Weekly, Part 3. The life of Maryam, chosen above the women of the worlds, in 18 chapters, with the Qur'an, hadith and the classical tafsir referenced throughout.
Updated 28 October 2026
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About 1 hour 15 minutestime it takesMaryam, the daughter of 'Imran, is the mother of the prophet 'Isa (peace be upon him) and the only woman named in the Qur'an. Allah says that He chose her, purified her and chose her above the women of the worlds, and the Prophet ﷺ named her among the women who reached perfection. A whole surah, Surah Maryam, carries her name.
This part follows her life in order: the family of 'Imran and their land, her mother's vow, her birth and the prayer for protection from Shaytan, the casting of the pens and Zakariyya's guardianship, the provision in the mihrab, the annunciation, the birth under the palm tree, the vow of silence, her return to her people and the infant who spoke in the cradle. It then covers the slander against her, her rank in the hadith, what the Qur'an teaches about 'Isa in contrast to the Christian belief, and her name and surah in the Qur'an, including Ja'far's recitation of Surah Maryam before the Najashi.
Every statement carries a reference: the Qur'an by surah and ayah, hadith by collection and number, and the tafsir and history of Ibn Kathir by name. Reports taken from the People of the Book (Isra'iliyyat) and from the historians are marked as such in the text.
How to use it well
- 1The family of 'Imran
Her lineage, her parents and her relation to the household of Zakariyya.
- 2Her mother's vow
The wife of 'Imran dedicates the child in her womb to the House in Jerusalem.
- 3Her birth and name
A daughter is born, named Maryam, and protected from the touch of Shaytan.
- 4The casting of the pens
The men of the House cast lots and Zakariyya becomes her guardian.
- 5The mihrab
Zakariyya finds provision with her: "It is from Allah."
- 6Zakariyya's prayer
Moved by what he saw, Zakariyya prays and is given Yahya.
- 7Chosen and purified
The angels tell Maryam she is chosen above the women of the worlds.
- 8The annunciation
Jibril brings the glad tidings of 'Isa, a word from Allah.
- 9Under the palm tree
The birth, the stream and the fresh dates.
- 10The child speaks
Her vow of silence, her return, and 'Isa speaking in the cradle.
- 11Her rank in Islam
The hadith on the best and most perfect of women.
- 12'Isa son of Maryam
What the Qur'an teaches about him, and her name and surah in the Qur'an.
What this part covers
- The family of 'Imran, the vow of Maryam's mother and her birth, from Surah Al 'Imran 3:33–37.
- Her upbringing under Zakariyya in the mihrab, the casting of the pens and the provision from Allah.
- The annunciation, the birth of 'Isa under the palm tree and her return to her people, from Surah Maryam 19:16–33.
- The slander against her, and the Qur'an's statement of her chastity and her rank as a siddiqah.
- Her rank in authentic hadith, with Asiyah, Khadijah and Fatimah, and the scholars' views on whether she was a prophet.
- What Islam teaches about 'Isa in contrast to the Christian belief, and why she is the only woman named in the Qur'an.
Sisters' Weekly
Part 3. Follow the path to the other parts.
How to use it
Read it in one sitting or chapter by chapter, with a mushaf open at Surah Al 'Imran and Surah Maryam to read the ayat alongside the text. Next Wednesday, Part 4 tells the life of Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Fir'awn.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is Maryam the only woman named in the Qur'an?
Every other woman in the Qur'an is described rather than named. Many scholars explain that her son was to be known as "'Isa son of Maryam", and that the Qur'an named her to declare her innocence (Qur'an Maryam 19:16–33; Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Was Maryam a prophet?
The majority of Sunni scholars, including the Hanafis, hold that she was not, and that her highest rank is siddiqah, as Allah says in Al-Ma'idah 5:75. A few, such as Ibn Hazm, held that she was (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Why is she called "sister of Harun"?
The Prophet ﷺ explained that people used to name their children after earlier prophets and righteous people (Muslim 2135). She was not the sister of Harun the brother of Musa.
What does Islam say about her rank?
The Prophet ﷺ said that among women only Maryam and Asiyah reached perfection (Bukhari 3411), and named her among the best women of the worlds with Khadijah, Fatimah and Asiyah (Tirmidhi 3878).
What is Sisters' Weekly?
A free weekly series from Jamia Hafs telling the lives of the great women of Islam from the sources, one part every Wednesday, each reviewed by a qualified mufti.
Is it free to print?
Yes. The PDF is free to download, print and share for personal, family and classroom use, without changes.
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