Ali 'Imran · Ayah 35

إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ عِمْرَٰنَ رَبِّ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِى بَطْنِى مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ 35

Translations

[Mention, O Muḥammad], when the wife of ʿImrān said, "My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing."

Transliteration

Idh qalat imra'atu 'Imrana Rabbi inni nadhartu laka ma fi batni muharraran fataqabbal minni innaka anta al-Samee'u al-'Aleem

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah records the prayer of Maryam's mother (the wife of 'Imran) as she vowed to dedicate her unborn child to the service of Allah's House, seeking His acceptance. According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this vow was made during pregnancy, and she sought to offer her child for religious devotion. The response to this vow is mentioned in the next ayah (3:36), where Allah accepted her supplication, though the child born was a daughter (Maryam) rather than the son she may have anticipated.

Revelation Context

This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran's narrative about the birth and virtues of Maryam (Mary), the mother of 'Isa (Jesus), establishing her honored status in Islam. The context begins the story of how Maryam came to be dedicated to the service of Allah's House in Jerusalem, setting the foundation for understanding her exceptional position as the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran.

Related Hadiths

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best of women is Maryam bint 'Imran, and the best of women [among his ummah] is Khadijah.' (Sahih Bukhari 3769). Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that Maryam was one of the four best women: 'The best of the women of the world are: Maryam bint 'Imran, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, and Asiyah the wife of Pharaoh.' (Tirmidhi 3843)

Themes

Maternal devotion and supplication to AllahVows and dedication to religious serviceDivine acceptance and mercyThe honor and virtue of Maryam (Mary)Divine attributes (As-Samee' and Al-'Aleem)

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches us the power of sincere intention and earnest supplication to Allah, demonstrating how parents can dedicate their children to righteous purposes while trusting in Allah's wisdom and acceptance. It reminds us that our plans may differ from God's plans, yet His wisdom supersedes our expectations—as evidenced by Allah sending a blessed daughter instead of the anticipated son.

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Related Ayahs

3:180Ali 'Imran

وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ هُوَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allāh has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allāh belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allāh, of what you do, is [fully] Aware.

3:126Ali 'Imran

وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَىٰ لَكُمْ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُكُم بِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ

And Allāh made it not except as [a sign of] good tidings for you and to reassure your hearts thereby. And victory is not except from Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise -

3:73Ali 'Imran

وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْهُدَىٰ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ أَن يُؤْتَىٰٓ أَحَدٌ مِّثْلَ مَآ أُوتِيتُمْ أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

And do not trust except those who follow your religion." Say, "Indeed, the [true] guidance is the guidance of Allāh. [Do you fear] lest someone be given [knowledge] like you were given or that they would [thereby] argue with you before your Lord?" Say, "Indeed, [all] bounty is in the hand of Allāh - He grants it to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Wise."

3:67Ali 'Imran

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allāh]. And he was not of the polytheists.