Revealed during the middle Makkan period, just prior to the first Muslim migration to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Surah Maryam (Mary) is a profoundly emotional chapter that focuses heavily on the infinite mercy and compassion of God. It played a pivotal historical role when recited by the persecuted Muslims seeking asylum before the Christian King Negus, moving him to tears and highlighting the deep reverence Islam holds for the foundational figures of Christianity. Named after the Virgin Mary—making her the only woman mentioned by name in the entire Quran—the Surah beautifully details her intense physical and psychological trials during the miraculous virgin birth of Prophet Jesus (Isa), culminating in her ultimate vindication when the infant speaks from the cradle to defend her absolute purity and declare his own prophethood. The chapter also chronicles the touching, private prayer of the elderly Prophet Zechariah pleading for an heir, resulting in the miraculous birth of John (Yahya), serving as a powerful reminder that earthly impossibilities are effortless for the Creator. Throughout the Surah, the divine name *Ar-Rahman* (The Entirely Merciful) is repeated extensively as it narrates the gentle, loving interactions between various Prophets—such as Abraham's tender preaching to his idolatrous father—while firmly dismantling the theological concept of God taking a son, ultimately emphasizing that all majestic messengers were simply devoted, mortal servants bound by deep humility, tearful prostration, and awe of their Merciful Lord.
Transliteration
KafhayaAAaynsad
Translation
Kaf, Ha, Ya, Ayn, Saad
Transliteration
Thikru rahmati rabbika AAabdahu zakariyya
Translation
A mention of the mercy of your Lord towards His servant Zechariah
Transliteration
Ith nada rabbahu nidaan khafiyyan
Translation
When he called on his Lord, a call in seclusion
Transliteration
Qala rabbi innee wahana alAAathmu minnee waishtaAAala alrrasu shayban walam akun biduAAaika rabbi shaqiyyan
Translation
He said, “My Lord, my bones have become feeble, and my hair is aflame with gray, and never, Lord, have I been disappointed in my prayer to you
Transliteration
Wainnee khiftu almawaliya min waraee wakanati imraatee AAaqiran fahab lee min ladunka waliyyan
Translation
“And I fear for my dependents after me, and my wife is barren. So grant me, from Yourself, an heir
Transliteration
Yarithunee wayarithu min ali yaAAqooba waijAAalhu rabbi radiyyan
Translation
To inherit me, and inherit from the House of Jacob, and make him, my Lord, pleasing.”
Transliteration
Ya zakariyya inna nubashshiruka bighulamin ismuhu yahya lam najAAal lahu min qablu samiyyan
Translation
“O Zechariah, We give you good news of a son, whose name is John, a name We have never given before.”
Transliteration
Qala rabbi anna yakoonu lee ghulamun wakanati imraatee AAaqiran waqad balaghtu mina alkibari AAitiyyan
Translation
He said, “My Lord, how can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have become decrepit with old age?”
Transliteration
Qala kathalika qala rabbuka huwa AAalayya hayyinun waqad khalaqtuka min qablu walam taku shayan
Translation
He said, “It will be so, your Lord says, ‘it is easy for me, and I created you before, when you were nothing.’”
Transliteration
Qala rabbi ijAAal lee ayatan qala ayatuka alla tukallima alnnasa thalatha layalin sawiyyan
Translation
He said, “My Lord, give me a sign.” He said, “Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights straight.”
Transliteration
Fakharaja AAala qawmihi mina almihrabi faawha ilayhim an sabbihoo bukratan waAAashiyyan
Translation
And he came out to his people, from the sanctuary, and signaled to them to praise morning and evening
Transliteration
Ya yahya khuthi alkitaba biquwwatin waataynahu alhukma sabiyyan
Translation
“O John, hold on to the Scripture firmly,” and We gave him wisdom in his youth
Transliteration
Wahananan min ladunna wazakatan wakana taqiyyan
Translation
And tenderness from Us, and innocence. He was devout
Transliteration
Wabarran biwalidayhi walam yakun jabbaran AAasiyyan
Translation
And kind to his parents; and he was not a disobedient tyrant
Transliteration
Wasalamun AAalayhi yawma wulida wayawma yamootu wayawma yubAAathu hayyan
Translation
And peace be upon him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the Day he is raised alive
Transliteration
Waothkur fee alkitabi maryama ithi intabathat min ahliha makanan sharqiyyan
Translation
And mention in the Scripture Mary, when she withdrew from her people to an eastern location
Transliteration
Faittakhathat min doonihim hijaban faarsalna ilayha roohana fatamaththala laha basharan sawiyyan
Translation
She screened herself away from them, and We sent to her Our spirit, and He appeared to her as an immaculate human
Transliteration
Qalat innee aAAoothu bialrrahmani minka in kunta taqiyyan
Translation
She said, “I take refuge from you in the Most Merciful, should you be righteous.”
Transliteration
Qala innama ana rasoolu rabbiki liahaba laki ghulaman zakiyyan
Translation
He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord, to give you the gift of a pure son.”
Transliteration
Qalat anna yakoonu lee ghulamun walam yamsasnee basharun walam aku baghiyyan
Translation
She said, “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, and I was never unchaste?”