Maryam — Chosen Above All Women
Guarded her chastity, withdrew in devotion, endured labour alone — then vindicated by her infant’s speech. The only woman named in the Quran, with a surah bearing her name.
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Emblematic words
وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَى نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ
Transliteration
Wastafaki ala nisa’il-alamin.
Story
The full story
Maryam, daughter of Imran, was dedicated before birth and raised in Zakariya’s care, finding out-of-season provision in her chamber (3:37). When the spirit appeared as a man, she sought refuge — then received glad tidings of a pure boy despite never being touched (19:18–21).
Labour drove her to a palm trunk in a distant place, wishing death before the ordeal (19:22–23). A voice comforted her: shake the trunk for dates, drink from the stream, be comforted — and vow silence (19:24–26).
Carrying the infant to her people, she faced accusation — and pointed to the cradle. Isa spoke: servant of Allah, prophet, blessed, dutiful to his mother (19:27–33). Vindication came from the child she bore.
Allah chose her above all women of the worlds (3:42) — the Quran’s exemplar of faith for all believers, male and female (66:11–12). A whole surah carries her name.
Narrated from the Quran, seerah and hadith collections without invented details.
Timeline
The life in order
- 1The dedication: vowed before birth, raised in devotion.
- 2The tidings: a pure boy announced to the untouched.
- 3The palm: labour alone — dates, stream, and comfort.
- 4The cradle: accusation answered by an infant’s speech.
- 5The choosing: above all women of the worlds (3:42).
Reflect
Lessons
- ✦Devotion in private prepares vindication in public.
- ✦Provision finds the devoted: dates and streams in ordeals.
- ✦Chastity guarded becomes honour proclaimed — by heaven itself.
References: Quran 3:35–47 and 19:16–36; Quran 66:11–12 (exemplar of faith)
For the companions around them, see the 24 Sahaba →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who was Maryam?
Guarded her chastity, withdrew in devotion, endured labour alone — then vindicated by her infant’s speech. The only woman named in the Quran, with a surah bearing her name.
What are the lessons from Maryam’s life?
1. Devotion in private prepares vindication in public. 2. Provision finds the devoted: dates and streams in ordeals. 3. Chastity guarded becomes honour proclaimed — by heaven itself.
Where is this story sourced from?
References: Quran 3:35–47 and 19:16–36; Quran 66:11–12 (exemplar of faith). Consult scholars for deeper rulings.
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