Mary — Verse 17

The Story of Maryam and Al-Masih (`Isa) After Allah, the Exalted, mentioned the story of Zakariyya, and that He blessed him with a righteous, purified and blessed child even in his old age while his wife was barren, He then mentions the story of Maryam. Allah informs of His granting her a child named `Isa without a father being involved (in her pregnancy). Between these two stories there is an appropriate and similar relationship. Due to their closeness in meaning, Allah mentioned them here together, as well as in Surahs Al `Imran and Al-Anbiya'. Allah has mentioned these stories to show His servants His ability, the might of His authority and that He has power over all things. Allah says, وَاذْكُرْ فِى الْكِتَـبِ مَرْيَمَ (And mention in the Book, Maryam,) She was Maryam bint `Imran from the family lineage of Dawud. She was from a good and wholesome family of the Children of Israel. Allah mentioned the story of her mother's pregnancy with her in Surah Al `Imran, and that she (Maryam's mother) dedicated her freely for the service of Allah. This meant that she dedicated the child (Maryam) to the service of the Masjid of the Sacred House (in Jerusalem). Thus, they (Zakariyya, Maryam's mother and Maryam) were similar in that aspect. فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا (So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner.)3:37 Thus, Maryam was raised among the Children of Israel in an honorable way. She was one of the female worshippers, well-known for her remarkable acts of worship, devotion and perseverance. She lived under the care of her brother-in-law, Zakariyya, who was a Prophet of the Children of Israel at that time. He was a great man among them, whom they would refer to in their religious matters. Zakariyya saw astonishing miracles occur from her that amazed him. كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا قَالَ يمَرْيَمُ أَنَّى لَكِ هَـذَا قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ إنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ (Every time Zakaiyya entered the Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Maryam! From where have you got this" She said, "This is from Allah." Verily, Allah provides to whom He wills, without limit.) 3:37 It has been mentioned that he would find her with winter fruit during the summer and summer fruit during the winter. This has already been explained in Surah Al `Imran. Then, when Allah wanted to grant her His servant and Messenger, `Isa, one of the five Great Messengers. انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَاناً شَرْقِياً (she withdrew in seclusion from her family to place facing east.) 19:16 This means that she withdrew from them and secluded herself from them. She went to the eastern side of the Sacred Masjid (in Jerusalem). It is reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said, "Verily, I am the most knowledgeable of Allah's creation of why the Christians took the east as the direction of devotional worship. They did because of Allah's statement, انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَاناً شَرْقِياً (When she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.) Therefore, they took the birthplace of `Isa as their direction of worship." Concerning Allah's statement, فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِم حِجَاباً (She placed a screen before them;) This means that she hid herself from them and concealed herself. Then, Allah sent Jibril to her. فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَراً سَوِيّاً (and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.) 19:17 This means that he came to her in the form of a perfect and complete man. Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Ibn Jurayj, Wahb bin Munabbih and As-Suddi all commented on Allah's statement, فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَآ رُوحَنَا (then We sent to her Our Ruh,) "It means Jibril." قَالَتْ إِنِّى أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيّاً (She said: "Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious from you, if you do fear Allah.") This means that when the angel (Jibril) appeared to her in the form of a man, while she was in a place secluded by herself with a partition between her and her people, she was afraid of him and thought that he wanted to rape her. Therefore, she said, إِنِّى أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيّاً (Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious from you, if you do fear Allah.) She meant, "If you fear Allah," as a means of reminding him of Allah. This is what is legislated in defense against (evil), so that it may be repulsed with ease. Therefore, the first thing she did was try to make him fear Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. Ibn Jarir reported from `Asim that Abu Wa'il said when mentioning the story of Maryam, "She knew that the pious person would refrain (from committing evil) when she said, إِنِّى أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيّاًقَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَاْ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ ("Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious from you, if you do fear Allah." He said: "I am only a messenger from your Lord...") This means that the angel said to her in response, and in order to remove the fear that she felt within herself, "I am not what you think, but I am the messenger of your Lord." By this he meant, "Allah has sent me to you." It is said that when she mentioned the (Name of the) Most Beneficent (Ar-Rahman), Jibril fell apart and returned to his true form (as an angel). He responded, (إِنَّمَآ أَنَاْ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِيَهَب لَكِ غُلَـمًا زَكِيًّا) `I am only a messenger from your Lord, to provide to you the gift of a righteous son.' قَالَتْ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـمٌ (She said: "How can I have a son...") This means that Maryam was amazed at this. She said, "How can I have a son" She said this to mean, "In what way would a son be born to me when I do not have a husband and I do not commit any wicked acts (i.e. fornication)" For this reason she said, وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيّاً (when no man has touched me, nor am I Baghiyya) The Baghiyy is a female fornicator. For this reason, a Hadith has been reported prohibiting the money earned from Baghiyy. قَالَ كَذَلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ (He said: "Thus said your Lord: `That is easy for Me (Allah)...") This means that the angel said to her in response to her question, "Verily, Allah has said that a boy will be born from you even though you do not have a husband and you have not committed any lewdness. Verily, He is Most Able to do whatever He wills." Due to this, he (Jibril) conveyed Allah's Words, وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ ءَايَةً لِّلْنَّاسِ (And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind) This means a proof and a sign for mankind of the power of their Maker and Creator, Who diversified them in their creation. He created their father, Adam, without a male (father) or female (mother). Then, He created Hawwa' (Adam's spouse) from a male (father) without a female (mother). Then, He created the rest of their progeny from male and female, except `Isa. He caused `Isa to be born from a female without a male. Thus, Allah completed the four types of creation (of the human being), which proves the perfection of His power and the magnificence of His authority. There is no god worthy of worship except Him and there is no true Lord other than Him. Concerning Allah's statement, وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا (and a mercy from Us,) This means, "We will make this boy a mercy from Allah and a Prophet from among the Prophets. He will call to the worship of Allah and monotheistic belief in Him. This is as Allah, the Exalted, said in another Ayah, إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ يمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ - وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِى الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلاً وَمِنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ ((Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the good news of a Word from Him, his name will be Al-Masih, `Isa, the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah. And he will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.) 3:45-46 This means that he will call to the worship of his Lord in his cradle and while and adult. Concerning His statement, وَكَانَ أَمْراً مَّقْضِيّاً (and it is a matter (already) decreed (by Allah).) This is the completion of Jibril's dialogue with Maryam. He informed her that this matter was preordained by Allah's power and will. Muhammad bin Ishaq said, وَكَانَ أَمْراً مَّقْضِيّاً (and it is a matter (already) decreed (by Allah).) "This means that Allah determined to do this, so there is no avoiding it."

Thus she veiled herself from them she draped herself in a veil to conceal herself while she washed her hair from lice or washed her clothes or cleansed herself from her menses; whereupon We sent to her Our Spirit Gabriel and he assumed before her after she donned her clothes the likeness of a well-proportioned human perfect in physical form.

فجعلت مِن دون أهلها سترًا يسترها عنهم وعن الناس، فأرسلنا إليها الملَك جبريل، فتمثَّل لها في صورة إنسان تام الخَلْق.

وقوله "فاتخذت من دونهم حجابا" أي استترت منهم وتوارت فأرسل الله تعالى إليها جبريل عليه السلام "فتمثل لها بشرا سويا" أي على صورة إنسان تام كامل قال مجاهد والضحاك وقتادة وابن جريج ووهب بن منبه والسدي في قوله "فأرسلنا إليها روحنا" يعني جبرائيل عليه السلام وهذا الذي قالوه هو ظاهر القرآن فإنه تعالى قد قال في الآية الأخرى "نزل به الروح الأمين على قلبك لتكون من المنذرين" وقال أبو جعفر الرازي عن الربيع بن أنس عن أبي العالية عن أبي بن كعب قال: إن روح عيسى عليه السلام من جملة الأرواح التي أخذ عليها العهد في زمان آدم عليه السلام وهو الذي تمثل لها بشرا سويا أي روح عيسى فحملت الذي خاطبها وحل في فيها وهذا في غاية الغرابة والنكارة وكأنه إسرائيلي.

وقوله : ( فاتخذت مِن دُونِهِم حِجَاباً ) تأكيد لانتباذها من أهلها ، واعتزالها إياهم .أى : اذكر وقت أن اعتزلت أهلها . فى مكان يلى شرق بيت المقدس ، فاتخذت بينها وبينهم حجابا وساتراً للتفرغ لعبادة ربها .ثم بين - سبحانه - ما أكرمها به فى حال خلوتها فقال : ( فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَآ رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَراً سَوِيّاً ) .أى : فأرسلنا إليها روحنا وهو جبريل - عليه السلام - فتشبه لها فى صورة بشر سوى معتدل الهيئة ، كامل البنية ، كأحسن ما يكون الإنسان .يقال : رجل سوى ، إذا كان تام الخلقة عظيم الخلق ، لا يعيبه فى شأن من شئونه إفراد أو تفريط .والإضافة فى قوله ( رُوحَنَا ) للتشريف والتكريم ، وسمى جبريل - عليه السلام - روحاً لمشابهة الروح الحقيقية فى أن كلا منهما مادة الحياة للبشر .فجبريل من حيث ما يحمل من الرسالة ألإلهية تحيا ب القلوب ، والروح تحيا به الأجسام .وإنما تمثل لها جبريل - عليه السلام - فى صورة بشرى سوى ، لتستأنس بكلامه ، وتتلقى منه ما يلقى إليها من كلماته ، ولو بدا لها فى صورته التى خلقه الله - تعالى - عليها . لنفرت منه ، ولم تستطع مكالمته .وقوله : ( بَشَراً سَوِيّاً ) حالان من ضمير الفاعل فى قوله ( فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا ) .

وقوله: ( فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا ) يقول: فاتخذت من دون أهلها سترا يسترها عنهم وعن الناس ، وذُكر عن ابن عباس، أنها صارت بمكان يلي المشرق، لأن الله أظلها بالشمس، وجعل لها منها حجابا.حدثني محمد بن سعد، قال: ثني أبي، قال: ثني عمي، قال: ثني أبي، عن أبيه، عن ابن عباس، قوله (انْتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا) قال: مكانا أظلتها الشمس أن يراها أحد منهم.وقال غيره في ذلك ما حدثنا موسى، قال: ثنا عمرو، قال: ثنا أسباط، عن السديّ( فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا ) من الجدران.وقوله ( فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا ) يقول تعالى ذكره: فأرسلنا إليها حين انتبذت من أهلها مكانا شرقيا، واتخذت من دونهم حجابا: جبريل.وبنحو الذي قلنا في ذلك قال أهل التأويل.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثنا بشر، قال: ثنا يزيد، قال: ثنا سعيد، عن قتادة، قوله ( فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا ) قال: أرسل إليها فيما ذُكر لنا جبريل.حدثنا ابن حميد، قال: ثنا سلمة، عن ابن إسحاق، عمن لا يتهم، عن وهب بن منبه، قال: وجدتْ عندها جبريل قد مثله الله بشرا سويا.حدثنا القاسم، قال: ثنا الحسين، قال: ثني حجاج، عن ابن جريج، قوله ( فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا ) قال: جبريل .حدثني محمد بن سهل، قال: ثنا إسماعيل بن عبد الكريم، قال: ثني عبد الصمد بن معقل بن أخي وهب، قال: سمعت وهب بن منبه ، قال: أرسل الله جبريل إلى مريم، فَمَثَل لها بشرا سويا.حدثني موسى، قال: ثنا عمرو، قال: ثنا أسباط، عن السديّ، قال : فلما طهرت، يعني مريم من حيضها، إذا هي برجل معها، وهو قوله ( فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا ) يقول تعالى ذكره: فتشبه لها في صورة آدميّ سويّ الخلق منهم، يعني في صورة رجل من بني آدم معتدل الخلق.

( فاتخذت ) فضربت ( من دونهم حجابا ) قال ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما : سترا .وقيل : جلست وراء جدار . وقال مقاتل : وراء جبل .وقال عكرمة : إن مريم كانت تكون في المسجد فإذا حاضت تحولت إلى بيت خالتها ، حتى إذا طهرت عادت إلى المسجد ، فبينما هي تغتسل من المحيض قد تجردت ، إذ عرض لها جبريل في صورة شاب أمرد وضيء الوجه جعد الشعر سوي الخلق ، فذلك قوله :( فأرسلنا إليها روحنا ) يعني : جبريل عليه السلام ( فتمثل لها بشرا سويا ) وقيل : المراد من الروح عيسى عليه السلام ، جاء في صورة بشر فحملت به والأول أصح فلما رأت مريم جبريل يقصد نحوها نادته من بعيد ف :

فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا (17) واتخاذ الحجاب : جعل شيء يَحجب عن الناس . قيل : إنها احتجبت لتغتسل وقيل لتمتشط .والروح : الملك ، لأن تعليق الإرسال به وإضافته إلى ضمير الجلالة دلاَّ على أنه من الملائكة وقد تمثل لها بشراً .والتمثل : تكلف المماثلة ، أي أن ذلك الشكل ليس شكل الملك بالأصالة .و { بَشَرَاً } حال من ضمير ( تمثل ) ، وهو حال على معنى التشبيه البليغ .والبشر : الإنسان . قال تعالى : { إني خالق بشراً من طين } [ ص : 71 ] ، أي خالق آدم عليه السلام .والسويُّ : المُسَوّى ، أي التام الخلق . وإنما تمثل لها كذلك للتناسب بين كمال الحقيقة وكمال الصورة ، وللإشارة إلى كمال عصمتها إذ قالت : { إنِّي أعوذُ بالرحمن مِنكَ إن كُنتَ تقِيَّاً } ، إذ لم يكن في صورته ما يكره لأمثالها ، لأنها حسبت أنه بشر اختبأ لها ليراودها عن نفسها ، فبادرته بالتعوذ منه قبل أن يكلمها مبادرة بالإنكار على ما توهمته من قصده الذي هو المتبادر من أمثاله في مثل تلك الحالة .

{ فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا ْ} أي: سترا ومانعا، وهذا التباعد منها، واتخاذ الحجاب، لتعتزل، وتنفرد بعبادة ربها، وتقنت له في حالة الإخلاص والخضوع والذل لله تعالى، وذلك امتثال منها لقوله تعالى: { وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَى نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ* يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ ْ} وقوله: { فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا ْ} وهو: جبريل عليه السلام { فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا ْ} أي: كاملا من الرجال، في صورة جميلة، وهيئة حسنة، لا عيب فيه ولا نقص، لكونها لا تحتمل رؤيته على ما هو عليه، فلما رأته في هذه الحال، وهي معتزلة عن أهلها، منفردة عن الناس، قد اتخذت الحجاب عن أعز الناس عليها وهم أهلها، خافت أن يكون رجلا قد تعرض لها بسوء، وطمع فيها، فاعتصمت بربها، واستعاذت منه

قوله تعالى : فأرسلنا إليها روحنا قيل : هو روح عيسى - عليه السلام - ؛ لأن الله تعالى خلق الأرواح قبل الأجساد ، فركب الروح في جسد عيسى - عليه السلام - الذي خلقه في بطنها . وقيل : هو جبريل وأضيف الروح إلى الله تعالى تخصيصا وكرامة . والظاهر أنه جبريل - عليه السلام - ؛ لقوله : فتمثل لها أي تمثل الملك لها . بشرا تفسير أو حال . سويا أي مستوي الخلقة ؛ لأنها لم تكن لتطيق أو تنظر جبريل في صورته . ولما رأت رجلا حسن الصورة [ ص: 19 ] في صورة البشر قد خرق عليها الحجاب ظنت أنه يريدها بسوء .

Mary, in accordance with her mother’s pledge, was placed in the service of the Haykal (Solomon’s Temple). The eastern part of the Haykal of ancient times was set apart for women. Mary hung a curtain in a corner in this part to segregate herself from others and devote herself entirely to worship. Soon thereafter, she found a strong healthy man standing before her. It was only natural that this made her suddenly afraid. But the stranger said that he was an angel and that he had come from God to perform the miracle of giving Mary a son. This miraculous birth of Jesus was a great sign from God. The purpose of this was to leave the people in no doubt as to his having been sent by God, so that they should accept whatever he said on His behalf. But, in spite of such clear signs, they refused to accept him.

فَاَرسَلنَا اِلیھَا رُوحَنَا "Then, We sent to her Our Spirit." - 19:17. A majority of scholars hold the view that رُوح (Spirit) refers to Sayyidna Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) but some say that it refers to Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) himself. Allah Ta` ala had placed before Sayyidah Maryam (علیہا السلام) the likeness of the son to be born to her. But the former version is more appropriate and is confirmed by the statement that follows. فَتَمَثَّلَ لَھَا بَشَراً سَوِیَّا "He took before her the form of a perfect human." - 19:17. It is not given to a human being to see an angel in its real form, because he will be overwhelmed by fright at such an experience. This, indeed is, that happened to The Holy Prophet ﷺ in the cave of Hira' on his first encounter with Sayyidna Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) and again later on. Sayyidna Jibra'il (علیہ السلام) appeared before Sayyidah Maryam (علیہا السلام) in the form of a man, so as not to frighten her. When Sayyidah Maryam (علیہا السلام) saw a man near her she became apprehensive of his intentions and said

(And had chosen seclusion from them) so that she purifies herself after the end of her menses. (Then We sent unto her Our Spirit) Our Messenger Gabriel when she had finished purifying herself (and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man).