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.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًا وَدُّوا۟ مَا عَنِتُّمْ قَدْ بَدَتِ ٱلْبَغْضَآءُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِى صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves [i.e., believers], for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.
وَمَكَرُوا۟ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَـٰكِرِينَ
And they [i.e., the disbelievers] planned, but Allāh planned. And Allāh is the best of planners.