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Surah Maryam

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Surah Maryam is the 19th chapter of the Noble Quran that was revealed in Mecca. It has 98 verses and, like most Makki Surahs, talks about the Hereafter, the end of the evildoers, and the reward of the believers

Facts About Surah Maryam

Surah Maryam is the second surah in juz’ 16 of the Quran. It is named after the mother of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus), also known as the virgin Mary in Christiaity. The story of Maryam and her son is the topic of verses 16-27. The beautiful surah starts off by recounting two miracles: the birth of Yahya (John), son of Zecharia in his old age, and Jesus, son of Maryam, without having any father. It then mentions the story of great Prophets such as Ibrahim , Ismael, Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, Moses, Idris, Adam, and Noah . It mentions points such as bringing the dead to life, the Day of Judgment, the reward of the righteous, and negating a child for God. This surah ends by saying that the Quran was revealed to serve as good news for the Godwary and a warning for the disputatious disbelievers.

19 Surah no.

Juz’ 16 & 23 Place

Makki Makki/Madani

44 Order of revelation

98 No. of verses

972 No. of words

3935 No. of letters


Arabic Text and Translation of Surah Maryam


بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم

In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, most merciful

كهيعص ﴿1﴾

Kāf. Hā. Yā. ‘Ayn. Ṣād.

ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا ﴿2﴾

[This verse is] a reminder of your Lord’s mercy on His servant, Zachariah.

إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا ﴿3﴾

When he prayed to his Lord quietly.

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا ﴿4﴾

He said, “O my Lord! My bones have grown feeble and old age whitened my hair, [but] I have never been unblessed in my prayer to You].”

وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا ﴿5﴾

Indeed, I am fearful of my relatives [lest they deviate your religion] and my wife is barren, so grant me an heir from Yourself.

يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا ﴿6﴾

[ An heir who] inherits from me and the family of Jacob. O my Lord! make him, well-pleasing.”

يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا ﴿7﴾

O Zachariah! Indeed, We give you good news of a son whose name is John and We have not given this name to anyone before.

قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا ﴿8﴾

He said, “How can I have a son while my wife is barren and I have approached my old age!”

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا ﴿9﴾

He said, “Thus”. Your Lord said, “It is easy to Me and I have created you before, while you were nothing.”

قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۚ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا ﴿10﴾

He said “O my Lord! Give me a sign.” He said, “Your sign is that you will be unable to speak to people for three nights although you are sound.”

فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ مِنَ الْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا ﴿11﴾

He came out of his worshipping place and signaled to them that they should glorify Him in the morning and evening.

يَا يَحْيَىٰ خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا ﴿12﴾

“O John hold the book firmly1” and We gave him judgment while he was a child.

وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَاةً ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا ﴿13﴾

And [We had provided him with] compassion and purity from us and he was pious.

وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّا ﴿14﴾

And he was kind with his parents and he was not rebellious and disobedient.

وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا ﴿15﴾

Peace be on him [John] when he was born and when he died and when he will be raised alive.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا ﴿16﴾

And mention Mary in your Book when she left her family secluded in the eastern place.

فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا ﴿17﴾

She was secluded from them, then We sent Our Spirit to her and he appeared to her in the form of a perfect man.

قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا ﴿18﴾

She said, “I seek refuge from you in the All-Compassionate if you are pious.”

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَامًا زَكِيًّا ﴿19﴾

He replied, “[Do not worry!] I am only your Lord’s messenger, [I am here] to grant on you a pure son.”

قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا ﴿20﴾

She said, “How can I have a son while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste”

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا ﴿21﴾

He said, “Thus will it be. Your Lord says, “It is easy for me, and We will make him a sign for people and Our mercy; and the matter has been made.”

فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا ﴿22﴾

So she conceived him and went with him to [a complete seclusion] somewhere far away.

فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَـٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا ﴿23﴾

So the pain of childbirth made her go to a palm-tree. She said, “I wish I had died before and I had been completely forgotten.”

فَنَادَاهَا مِن تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا ﴿24﴾

So He called her from below her “Do not grieve. Indeed, your Lord has made a stream under your feet”

وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا ﴿25﴾

And shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards yourself, the ripe dates will drop on you.

فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا ﴿26﴾

So eat, drink and be delightful, so if you see any human being say [to them] that I have vowed to fast for the All-Compassionate, so I shall never speak to any human today.

فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُ ۖ قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا ﴿27﴾

She brought him to her people and they said, “O Mary! You have come with an amazing thing.”

يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا ﴿28﴾

O the Chaste Girl1! Your father was not an evil man nor was your mother an unchaste woman.

فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ ۖ قَالُوا كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِي الْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا ﴿29﴾

Then she pointed to him,2 they replied, “How could we speak to one who is yet a baby in the cradle?”

قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّـهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا ﴿30﴾

He said, “I am God’s servant. He provided me with the Book and appointed me as a messenger.

وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا ﴿31﴾

And He made me blessed wherever I am and He enjoined me to [perform] prayer and [give] zakat as long as I live.

وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَتِي وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِي جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا ﴿32﴾

And to be dutiful to my mother, and He did not make me rebellious and wretched.

وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا ﴿33﴾

And peace be on me the day I was born and the day I die and the day I will be raised alive.”

ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قَوْلَ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ ﴿34﴾

That was Jesus, son of Mary, a word of truth which they doubt.

مَا كَانَ لِلَّـهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿35﴾

God does not take a child for Himself. He is Glorified. When He wills to perform a deed He only says to it ,“Be” and then it is.

وَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿36﴾

And indeed, God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path.

فَاخْتَلَفَ الْأَحْزَابُ مِن بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن مَّشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿37﴾

Yet the groups differed among themselves, woe to the disbelievers at the meeting of a Tremendous Day.

أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَا ۖ لَـٰكِنِ الظَّالِمُونَ الْيَوْمَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿38﴾

On the Day when they will come to us how well they will see and hear: yet the wrongdoers, today, are in glaring error.

وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿39﴾

And warn them about the Day of Regret when the matter will be accomplished, yet they are neglectful and they do not believe.

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ الْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ ﴿40﴾

And indeed, We will inherit the earth and what exists on the earth and they will be returned to Us.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا ﴿41﴾

And mention [about] Abraham in the Book indeed he was truthful, a messenger.

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِي عَنكَ شَيْئًا ﴿42﴾

When he said to his father, “O my father! Why do you worship [ the idols] which neither hears nor sees, nor can it fulfill your needs in any way.”

يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَاءَنِي مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِي أَهْدِكَ صِرَاطًا سَوِيًّا ﴿43﴾

“O my father! I have been provided with knowledge that you have not received, so follow me to guide you to the straight path.”

يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَصِيًّا ﴿44﴾

O my father! Do not worship Satan. Indeed, Satan disobeyed AllCompassionate.

يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا ﴿45﴾

O my father! I fear that you receive a punishment from the AllCompassionate, such that you will become Satan’s accomplice.

قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ آلِهَتِي يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَاهْجُرْنِي مَلِيًّا ﴿46﴾

He said, “O Abraham! Have you abandoned my gods? If you do not give up [your belief], I will stone you [to death] and take leave of me for a long time”.

قَالَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّي ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا ﴿47﴾

He said, “Peace be on you, I will pray to my Lord for your forgiveness. Indeed, He has been gracious to me.

وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَىٰ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا ﴿48﴾

And I leave you and that which you worshipped beside God. And I pray to my Lord; it may be that in praying to my Lord, I will not be wretched.”

فَلَمَّا اعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّا ﴿49﴾

Then when he abandoned them and what they worshipped instead of God, We bestowed on him Isaac, Jacob, and each of them We made a Prophet.

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِنَا وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ عَلِيًّا ﴿50﴾

And We granted them from Our mercy and We granted them a high and good reputation.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مُوسَىٰ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا ﴿51﴾

And mention[about] Moses in the Book. Indeed, he was [sincerely] devoted1 and he was a messenger, a Prophet.

وَنَادَيْنَاهُ مِن جَانِبِ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَاهُ نَجِيًّا ﴿52﴾

And We call him from the right side of [the mount of] Ṭūr to draw him closer in a secret conversation.

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَا أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ نَبِيًّا ﴿53﴾

And We bestowed on him his brother Aaron, a messenger of Our mercy, [to help him].

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا ﴿54﴾

And mention Ishmael in the Book. Indeed, he was true to the promise, and he was a messenger, a Prophet.

وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِيًّا ﴿55﴾

He used to enjoin his people to [perform] prayer, [give] zakat, and God was pleased with him.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا ﴿56﴾

And mention Idrīs in the Book. Indeed, he was truthful, a Prophet.

وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا ﴿57﴾

And We raised him to a high [spiritual] position.

أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا ۩ وَاجْتَبَيْنَا ۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا ﴿58﴾

They were among the messengers whom God blessed; they were from the children of Adam; of those whom We carried in the ship with Noah, of the children of Abraham and Israel, of those whom We guided and chose. [They were very humble and submissive to God, so] when the signs of the All-Beneficent were recited to them, they prostrated, cried.

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا ﴿59﴾

A generation came after them that disregarded the prayer and followed their worldly desires, so they will meet [the outcome of their] transgression.

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا ﴿60﴾

Except those who repent and believe, and perform good deeds, so they will enter the heaven and they will not be wronged at all:

جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدَ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ عِبَادَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَأْتِيًّا ﴿61﴾

The All-Compassionate [God] has promised His servants in the Unseen to Grant the Garden of Eden. Indeed, His promise will be fulfilled.

لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَامًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا ﴿62﴾

They will not hear any vain [and foul] word therein and they only hear “Peace” and they will have their provisions mornings and evenings.

تِلْكَ الْجَنَّةُ الَّتِي نُورِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَن كَانَ تَقِيًّا ﴿63﴾

It is the Garden which We will bequeath to Our servants who are pious.

وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا ﴿64﴾

We only come down with your Lord’s command. Whatever is before and behind us and whatever is between them belong to Him, and your Lord does not forget.

رَّبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَاعْبُدْهُ وَاصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَادَتِهِ ۚ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُ سَمِيًّا ﴿65﴾

He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, so worship Him and exercise patience in His worship. Do you know, “Who can be named alongside Him?

وَيَقُولُ الْإِنسَانُ أَإِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوْفَ أُخْرَجُ حَيًّا ﴿66﴾

And human beings say, “Will I be given a [new] life when I die?”

أَوَلَا يَذْكُرُ الْإِنسَانُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ يَكُ شَيْئًا ﴿67﴾

Does mankind not remember that We had created him while he was nothing before!

فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَالشَّيَاطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا ﴿68﴾

And by God We will gather them along with Satan, then We will bring them around Hell on their knees.

ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى الرَّحْمَـٰنِ عِتِيًّا ﴿69﴾

Then We will bring out [the wrongdoers] from every sect to see which of them were more rebellious against the AllCompassionate?

ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِالَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا ﴿70﴾

Then We will surely know best who deserves to be burned therein [ in Hell].

وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا ﴿71﴾

You will all enter it and it is a certain decision which your Lord has made.

ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا ﴿72﴾

Then we save the pious, and leave the wrongdoers kneeling therein, on their knees.

وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ قَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَّقَامًا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا ﴿73﴾

And when Our manifest signs were recited to them, the disbelievers said to the believers, “Which of these two groups: [yours our ours] has the ideal position and better company?”

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَاثًا وَرِئْيًا ﴿74﴾

And how many a generation [of wrongdoers] We destroyed before them who were better in possessions and appearance!

قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِي الضَّلَالَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ مَدًّا ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَأَوْا مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضْعَفُ جُندًا ﴿75﴾

Say, “Whoever is in error, the All- Beneficent provides him with respite [to live] until they see what they have been promised, either punishment [in the world] or [punishment] in the Day of Judgment, so they will know whose position is evil and whose army is weaker!

وَيَزِيدُ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى ۗ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ مَّرَدًّا ﴿76﴾

And God increases the guidance of the guided with further guidance, and the good deeds1 which endure are better in reward and better in return2 with your Lord.

أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا ﴿77﴾

Have you considered the one who disbelieved in Our signs and said, “I will be given [abundant] wealth and [many] children.”

أَطَّلَعَ الْغَيْبَ أَمِ اتَّخَذَ عِندَ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَهْدًا ﴿78﴾

[How can he make such a judgment?] Are they aware of the unseen or have they made a covenant with the All-Beneficent [to have such a position?]

كَلَّا ۚ سَنَكْتُبُ مَا يَقُولُ وَنَمُدُّ لَهُ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ مَدًّا ﴿79﴾

Never! We will record what he says and We will prolong for him the [heavy] punishment [for their lies and disbelief].

وَنَرِثُهُ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْدًا ﴿80﴾

And We will inherit what he says and he will come to Us alone!

وَاتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ آلِهَةً لِّيَكُونُوا لَهُمْ عِزًّا ﴿81﴾

And they worshipped gods instead of God, in order that these gods would be [a means of honor and] power for them.

كَلَّا ۚ سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا ﴿82﴾

Never! They [ the idols] will disavow their worship and they will oppose them.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا ﴿83﴾

Have you not considered that We have sent the devils to the disbelievers to incite them ?

فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا ﴿84﴾

So do not hurry against them, indeed, We count a number3 for them.

يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ الْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى الرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَفْدًا ﴿85﴾

When We will gather all of the pious to the All-Compassionate.

وَنَسُوقُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًا ﴿86﴾

And We will drive the guilty [like a thirsty herd] towards Hell.

لَّا يَمْلِكُونَ الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّخَذَ عِندَ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَهْدًا ﴿87﴾

And they have no power of intercession except the one who has made a covenant with God.

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَدًا ﴿88﴾

And they said, “God took a child”.

لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئًا إِدًّا ﴿89﴾

You uttered a blatant word indeed.

تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ الْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدًّا ﴿90﴾

It is about to tear the heavens, break the earth and cause the mountains to collapse.

أَن دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ وَلَدًا ﴿91﴾

That they ascribed son to the All- Compassionate.

وَمَا يَنبَغِي لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا ﴿92﴾

It is not fitting to the All- Compassionate to have a child.

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَبْدًا ﴿93﴾

All existence in the heavens and on the earth come as a servant for the All-Compassionate.

لَّقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا ﴿94﴾

And indeed, He has taken account exactly and numbered them.

وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا ﴿95﴾

And each of them will come to Him on the Day of Judgment, alone.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ وُدًّا ﴿96﴾

Indeed, those who have belief and perform good deeds, the AllCompassionate will ordain for them love.

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِ قَوْمًا لُّدًّا ﴿97﴾

Indeed, We make it easy for your tongue so that you [can] give good news with it to the pious and warn the stubborn.

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًا ﴿98﴾

And Indeed, how many a generation before them We destroyed. Do you see any of them around or do hear from them a murmur?

Surah Maryam at a Glance

Verse NumberThemeInstances
1-15 Zechariah’s prayer for a child. The good news of a boy (Yahya). Attributes of Yahya (John)
16-36 Maryam’s pregnancy and birth. Taking the child to her people. Words of baby Jesus to people
37-40 58-63 People are divided into two groups: believers and disbelievers
41-65God’s Mercy towards the Prophets and believersProphets’ names and qualities mentioned: Ibrahim: Truthful, Prophet Ishaq (Isaac): Prophet Jacob: Prophet Moses: Dedicated, apostle, Prophet Harun (Aaron): Prophet Ismail: true to his promise, apostle, prophet. Idris: Truthful, Prophet Adam, Nuh
 66-72 The Hereafter
73-87Rejecting disbelievers and lovers of this worldDestiny of disbelievers despite their power and majesty. Being given respite. Fate on the Last Day. Shafa’a
88-95 Jesus is not the son of God
96-98The fate of believers and disbelievers in this worldThe Quran gives good news and warning

Five Points Surah Maryam Teaches Us

Among the numerous lessons in surah Maryam, we can mention the following:

1.   The Seemingly Impossible Can Be Made Possible in Surah Maryam

Surah Maryam initiates by mentioning prayers of Prophet Zechariah (a) for a righteous child done in private where no one else but his Lord could hear him.

إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا ﴿3﴾

When he prayed to his Lord quietly. 1

Many verses in the Noble Quran state duas and prayers of the prophets and righteous servants of God for blessings, including good children.

فَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا ﴿5﴾

So grant me from Yourself an heir. 2

Elsewhere in the Quran, pious servants of God say an insightful prayer for virtuous children:

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

And they who say: O our Lord! grant us in our wives and our offspring the joy of our eyes, and make us guides to those who guard (against evil). 3

The following points could be understood from these verses:

  • Fathering starts years before the conception of a child as Zecheriah prayed for a virtuous son long before his birth.
  • A faithful man cares to have a God-fearing family and society.

His thoughts and plans go beyond his private domain of life as he cares about the fate of his community.

  • He raises children who become the leaders of society.

2.   The Mercy of God Has Been Emphasized 16 Times in Surah Maryam

The word Rahman (merciful), which is one of the attributes of the Lord,  has been used in surah Maryam 16 times, stressing the kindness and compassion of Allah (SWT) towards all creatures, particularly the prophets and believers.

3.   Surah Maryam: Decayed Bones Brought Back to Life?

A question commonly asked is how is it possible to be brought back to life when our bodies totally decay?

وَيَقُولُ الْإِنسَانُ أَإِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوْفَ أُخْرَجُ حَيًّا ﴿66﴾

Man says, ‘What? Shall I be brought forth alive [from the grave], when I have been dead?’

There is a simple explanation:

أَوَلَا يَذْكُرُ الْإِنسَانُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ يَكُ شَيْئًا ﴿67﴾

Does not man remember that We created him before when he was nothing? 4

Creating something from nothing is so much harder than creating it from something that already exists.

This explanation is paraphrased elsewhere in surah Maryam when Prophet Zechariah (a) expresses his astonishment of being given the good news of a son in his old age:

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا ﴿9﴾

Your Lord has said, ‘‘It is simple for Me.’’ Certainly I created you before when you were nothing.’ 5

The point is that God has infinite power and is capable of doing anything He wishes to. This concept has been stated in other verses of the Quran, such as 2:20 and 2:106.

4.   Be Kind to Your Parents Even If You Are of a Lofty Status

Islamic teachings have emphasized the role of parents in children’s lives and how much fathers and mothers can influence their children’s worldly and otherworldly felicity. Nevertheless, children have been instructed to lower their wings of humility towards their parents and to treat them respectfully and kindly. Two  practical role models are Yahya (John), the son of Zechariah, and ‘Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam:

وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّا ﴿14﴾

and good to his parents, and was not self-willed or disobedient. 6

The point is that true belief and fear in God must be displayed in one’s character and behavior towards one’s family, friends, neighbors, and fellow brothers and sisters in faith. Hence you see the following qualities mentioned for Prophet John:

  • affectionate
  • pure
  • God-fearing
  • righteous toward his parents
  • not self-willed
  • obedient 

5.   Surah Maryam Teaches You How to Become Popular

Allah (SWT) places the love of true believers in people’s hearts. One of the well-known verses of surah Maryam, is verse 96, known as the verse of “Wudd,” meaning love.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ وُدًّا ﴿96﴾

Indeed those who have faith and do righteous deeds—the All-beneficent will endear them [to His creation].

According to commentators of the Quran, this verse was revealed about Ali bin Abi Talib (s) when the Noble Prophet (s) prayed for Ali’s love to be placed in people’s hearts.

There is a close connection between this verse (19:96) and verse (42:23), where Allah (SWT) tells Prophet Mohammad (s):

قُلْ لَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ ﴿23﴾

Say, ‘I do not ask you any reward for it except the love of [my] relatives.’ 7

Throughout the years of the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (s), we see that he troubles himself to guide people to the path of submission, to the extent that Allah (SWT) tells him, “Then maybe you will kill yourself with grief, sorrowing after them, if they do not believe in this announcement.”8

After all the effort he put, his holiness tells people that as the reward of all these years, he only asks for the love of his household.

Four points can be understood from these verses:

  • The Noble Prophet (s) had asked the believers for the love of his progeny. The request was not merely liking his family but taking them as their role mode.
  • Allah (SWT), in this verse, has declared that he will automatically place the love of true believers in other people’s hearts. So the love for the Ahlul Bait of the prophet will also be placed in people’s hearts.
  • This love will cause the unity of believers.
  • Mere belief is not enough. It has to accompany righteous acts. 

Reward of Reciting Surah Maryam

The Messenger of God (s) says in a hadith:

“The one who recites surah Maryam receives rewards and ranks equivalent to ten times the number of those confirming or denying the prophets and messengers mentioned in this surah; each rank is one million times greater than the distance between the earth and the skies and equivalent to this number. The person will be granted heavenly spouses in paradise, and on the Day of Judgement, he will be placed among the pious in the group of Sabiqin (Foremost Ones).”9

Abu Abdullah also says in a hadith,

“One who often recites surah Maryam,

  • will not die but will attain that which makes him/her needless including life, wealth, and children.
  • on Judgment Day will be among the disciples of Prophet ‘Isa (AS)
  • will have a kingdom like that of Solomon in the world.”10

What Are the Benefits of Surah Maryam?

Numerous blessings and benefits have been mentioned for reciting surah Maryam such as:

  1. Abundance of blessings and sustenance
  2. Remaining secure from the evils of a powerful person
  3. Having a good sleep

The messenger of God (s) says,

“If a person writes down surah Maryam and carries it with themself when going to sleep, they will only see good dreams, and if they have the surah hung on the wall of their house, they will be immune to dangers.” 11

  • Abandoning the enemy

Reciting the words, کهیعص seven hundred and seventy five times repels the enemy.

  • Finding a good spouse
  • Cures headache

Reciting verses 1-5 of surah Maryam cures the headache.

Seven Beautiful Ways God Honors Maryam in the Quran

  1. The name of Lady Maryam has been mentioned in the Quran 34 times. God has mentioned no other woman’s name in the Quran.
  2. Maryam’s growth and development was in a place of worship and under the care and supervision of a pious man (Zechariah). She dedicated her entire life to God’s religion and spirituality.

فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنْبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ

The inmates of the Fire will call out to the inhabitants of paradise, ‘Pour on us some water, or something of what Allah has provided you.’ They will say, ‘Allah has indeed forbidden these two to the faithless!’Thereupon her Lord accepted her with a gracious acceptance, and made her grow up in a worthy fashion, and He charged Zechariah with her care. Whenever Zechariah visited her in the sanctuary… 12

  • Titles of Maryam in the Quran:
  • Siddiqah (Truthful)
  • Istafaki (Chosen)
  • Tahharaki (Purified)
  • The Noble Prophet of Islam (s) is commanded by God to honor Maryam’s name in the Quran:

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَم

And mention in the Book Mary 13

  • God mentions her son as a divine sign:

وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِلنَّاسِ

The inmates of the Fire will call out to the inhabitants of paradise, ‘Pour on us some water, or something of what Allah has provided you.’ They will say, ‘Allah has indeed forbidden these two to the faithless!’And so that We may make him a sign for mankind 14

  • Maryam received heavenly food from Her Lord:

كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِنْدَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

Whenever Zechariah visited her in the sanctuary, he would find provisions with her. He said, ‘O Mary, from where does this come for you?’ She said, ‘It comes from Allah. Allah provides whomever He wishes without any reckoning.’ 15

Zechariah was surprised to see different kinds of fruits that were not of that region and season with Maryam. 

  • She was sent an angel in the shape of a handsome man to give her the news of a child while still being a virgin girl:

فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا

We sent to her Our Spirit and he became incarnate for her as a well-proportioned human. 16

Summary

Every surah of the Quran is like a beautiful flower in a breathtaking green garden. Reading through the luminous verses of surah Maryam, one can feel light shine into one’s heart. It freshens one’s spirit as it provides food for the soul. Surah Maryam continuously brings to the mind God’s mercy and power. It teaches you that there is no reason to feel helpless and depressed, as you have God as your supporter. He hears your prayers and answers them, even if they seem impossible. He has not left you alone in this world, as He has sent His prophets to mankind. It is up to you to be among the believers or disbelievers.     


References

  1. The Quran, 19:3 (Qarai).
  2. The Quran, 19:5 (Qarai).
  3. The quran, 25:74 (Shakir)
  4. The Quran, 19:66-67 (Qarai).
  5. The Quran, 19:9 (Qarai).
  6. The Quran, 19:14 (Qarai).
  7. The Quran, 42:23 (Qarai).
  8. The Quran, 18:6 (Shakir).
  9. Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, vol. 4, p. 344.
  10. Majma’ al-Bayan
  11. Tafir al-Burhan, vol. 3, p. 695.
  12. The Quran, 3:37 (Qarai).
  13. The Quran, 19:16 (Qarai).
  14. The Quran, 19:21 (Qarai).
  15. The Quran, 3:37 (Qarai).
  16. The Quran, 19:17 (Qarai).
5/5 - (1 vote)
1 Comment
  1. khimmo says

    i love this app cause i have an Arabic school (Virgin Mary Mosque) and this helped me with my homework that i had and it helped ne learn some new facts

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