I begin with the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind, peace and blessing be upon beloved Prophet (S.A.W) All praise is for Allah.

THE QUR'ANIC STATEMENTS ABOUT HAZRAT MARIAM AND HER SON ISA (PBUH)

The Christian world is enjoying the Christmas celebrations and today's topic is concerning this occasion.

Mariam (Mary) was the mother of Prophet Isa (PBUH). Her name is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an 34 times and also one full Surah is named after her.

Her father's name was Imran. Surah Al-e-Imran is named after him. Mariam's birth is explained in the Holy Qur'an: when the wife of Imran said "O' my Lord! I do dedicate unto thee what is in my womb. Accept this from me. Thou, only Thou, art the hearer, the knower!" (Surah Al-e-Imran verse 35-37)

The wife of Imran made the above prayer (dua) and she passed a big part of her life waiting for a son. She was very anxious so Allah gave her hope that she would have a child. She also addressed Allah begging him for a son. The Qur'an said: "When she was delivered of a child, she said O' my Lord behold. I have delivered of a female child, and Allah knew best what she brought forth. And no wise is the male like the female" This Aayat committed that she was not an ordinary female child.

Normally only males were allowed to have services in Baith-ul-Quds. Qur'an says: "She said I have named her Mariam and command her and her offspring to your protection from the evil one rejected" (Al-e-Imran verse 36)

Allah accepted her graciously and she grows in purity and beauty under the care of her uncle Zakariyya (PBUH) because she was chosen to be looked after by him. Qur'an said, "Whenever Hazrat Zakariyya entered her chamber (Mehrab) to see her, he found Allah had supplied sustenance for her" (vii) He said: "O Mary whence comes to you this"? She said, " from Allah, for He provides sustenance to whom he pleases without measure"

In other ayat of the Holy Qur'an Allah said: Angels addressed to Mary "O' Mary, Allah has chosen you and purified you above the women of all the nations" "O Mary, worship your Lord devoutly and prostrate yourself and bow down in prayers with those who bow down".

Once she went to a place called Baith-ul-Lahm when a miracle happened. Qur'an says: "She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them. Then we sent to her our angel. He appeared before her as a man in all respect. She said I seek refuge from you to Allah, the most gracious, even if you do fear Allah". He said, "Nay, I am only messenger of your Lord to announce to you, the gift of a son". She said, "How shall I have a son seeing that no man has touched me. I am not unchaste evil" He said, "So it will be, your Lord says. That is easy for me and we wish him appoint him as a sign unto men and mercy from us. It is a matter so decreed"

So she conceived him (Isa pbuh) and she retired with him to a remote place and the pain of childbirth drove her to trunk of a palm tree. She cried because of embarrassment and said would that I had died before this, would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight. She heard someone saying don't grieve. Your Lord has provided you a fountain beneath you and shake the trunk of palm tree the fresh ripe dates will fall upon you. So eat, drink and cool your eyes. Say nothing to anybody. Just say I am fasting, I don't talk today.

When she came to her people holding a baby. People started saying to Mariam you have done a very wrong thing. Your father and mother were very pious. She pointed to her baby. They said do we talk to a baby in cradle. So ISA (Jesus) talked and said, I am the servant of Allah. He gave me the book and sent me as a messenger. (Surah Mariam)

Sayeda Mariam never got married to Joseph, a Christian believer, nor to anyone else.

She was a virgin and Prophet Isa's birth from her was Allah's miracle.

Is Jesus Son of God and at the same time son of Joseph? (This topic will be concluded next Friday Insha-allah)