Maryam bint ʿImrān

Maryam bint ʿImrān occupies an exalted position in Islam as the mother of Prophet ʿĪsā and one of the most revered women in the Qurʾān and Islamic tradition. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qurʾān and is presented as a model of faith, purity, devotion, and obedience to Allah. Her life and spiritual rank are discussed extensively in the Qurʾān, sunnah al-nabawiyyah, tafsīr literature, and works of Islamic history.

The Qurʾān describes Maryam as belonging to a righteous family devoted to the worship of Allah. Her mother dedicated her to sacred service before her birth, and she was raised under the guardianship of Prophet Zakariyyā. The Qurʾān states: “O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of all the worlds” (Qurʾān 3:42). Islamic tradition therefore regards her as one of the greatest women in human history.

Maryam is especially known for the miraculous birth of Prophet ʿĪsā without a human father. According to the Qurʾān, the angel Jibrīl appeared to her announcing the birth of a blessed son by the command of Allah. The Qurʾān states: “Indeed, Allah gives you glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary” (Qurʾān 3:45). The miraculous conception and birth of ʿĪsā are narrated particularly in Sūrat Āl ʿImrān and Sūrat Maryam.

The Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah also emphasizes the spiritual excellence of Maryam. In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ identified Maryam among the greatest women of humanity. Another famous narration states that every child is touched by Satan at birth except Maryam and her son ʿĪsā because of the supplication made for their protection.

Classical Muslim exegetes and historians such as al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, and al-Qurṭubī discussed Maryam extensively, emphasizing her chastity, worship, asceticism, and miraculous experiences. Sūrat Maryam, named after her, further reflects her exceptional status within Islamic scripture.

Within Islamic theology and sacred history, Maryam symbolizes purity, piety, patience, and complete trust in Allah. In sīrah and Islamic literature, her story also forms part of the broader prophetic history connecting earlier prophets with the final message of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.