وَإِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 42
Translations
And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa-idh qālat al-malā'ikatu yā Maryamu inna Allāha astafjāki wa-tahhharaka wa-astafjāki 'alā nisā' al-'ālamīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels announce to Mary that Allah has chosen her, purified her, and elevated her above all women of the worlds. This declaration emphasizes Mary's exceptional spiritual status and her designation as the mother of Jesus (Isa), making her unique among womankind. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this honor came as a result of her unwavering faith, piety, and dedication to worship, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that her purification refers to both spiritual and physical sanctity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the broader narrative of Surah Ali 'Imran detailing the story of Mary's birth, upbringing, and selection for a divine purpose. It follows the account of her mother's vow to dedicate her child to the service of the Temple. The ayah provides the divine confirmation of Mary's exceptional status before the announcement of Jesus's coming birth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of women is Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, and the best of women [in this ummah] is Khadijah.' (Sahih Bukhari 3769). Additionally, Imam Ahmad recorded that the Prophet stated the best women are: Mary, Khadijah, Fatimah, and Asiyah (wife of Pharaoh).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true honor and elevation come through righteousness, purity of heart, and devotion to Allah rather than through worldly status or lineage. It also demonstrates Islam's profound respect for virtuous women, making Mary a timeless exemplar of faith and excellence for believers of all generations.
Related Ayahs
سَنُلْقِى فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلرُّعْبَ بِمَآ أَشْرَكُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا ۖ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve for what they have associated with Allāh of which He had not sent down [any] authority. And their refuge will be the Fire, and wretched is the residence of the wrongdoers.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَوِّرُكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
It is He who forms you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
So is it other than the religion of Allāh they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?
كَيْفَ يَهْدِى ٱللَّهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ وَشَهِدُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلرَّسُولَ حَقٌّ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
How shall Allāh guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.