وَٱلَّتِىٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهَا مِن رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا وَٱبْنَهَآ ءَايَةً لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 91
Translations
And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity [i.e., Mary], so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [i.e., Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa-allati ahsanat farjaha fanafakhna fiha min ruhina waja'alnaha wa-ibnaha ayatan lil-'alamin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Maryam (Mary), who preserved her chastity and honor, whereupon Allah breathed His spirit into her, resulting in the conception of 'Isa (Jesus) without a father. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that both Maryam and her son 'Isa became miraculous signs for all creation, demonstrating Allah's absolute power over natural laws and His wisdom in choosing vessels for His revelation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, which discusses various prophets and their stories. The mention of Maryam and 'Isa in this prophetic narrative contextualizes their unique status among humanity and serves to remind believers of Allah's miraculous power in creating life.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of women is Maryam bint 'Imran, and the best of women is Khadijah' (Sahih Bukhari 3769). Additionally, 'Isa's virgin birth is affirmed in authentic hadith collections emphasizing the miraculous nature of his conception.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that moral integrity and purity of character are qualities honored by Allah, and that He can accomplish what seems impossible to human understanding. For believers, it exemplifies how faithfulness and righteousness invite divine blessing and make one an exemplary sign for humanity.
Related Ayahs
وَنُوحًا إِذْ نَادَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
And [mention] Noah, when he called [to Allāh] before [that time], so We responded to him and saved him and his family from the great affliction [i.e., the flood].
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, "My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors."
ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ
[The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.