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
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا تَعْمَلُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh while Allāh is Witness over what you do?"
فَإِنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِ ۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ ءَأَسْلَمْتُمْ ۚ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُوا۟ فَقَدِ ٱهْتَدَوا۟ ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
So if they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself to Allāh [in Islām], and [so have] those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned, "Have you submitted yourselves?" And if they submit [in Islām], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away - then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allāh is Seeing of [His] servants.
يَـٰمَرْيَمُ ٱقْنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسْجُدِى وَٱرْكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].