يَـٰمَرْيَمُ ٱقْنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسْجُدِى وَٱرْكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ 43
Translations
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."
Transliteration
Ya Maryamu iqnutee li Rabbiki wasjudee warkuee ma'a ar-rakieen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains the angels' command to Mary (Maryam) to devote herself entirely to the worship of Allah through prayer, prostration, and bowing alongside those who worship. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction emphasizes Mary's role as a devoted servant of Allah, establishing her as a model of spiritual commitment and obedience. The command to worship 'with those who bow' (ma'a ar-rakieen) indicates her participation in congregational prayer and communal worship, highlighting the importance of collective devotion in Islamic practice.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Mary's upbringing in the sanctuary (mihrab) as mentioned in verses 3:37-44. The angels are instructing Mary during her time of worship and seclusion in the temple, guiding her toward continuous devotion and spiritual excellence. This context is part of the broader Quranic account of Mary's exceptional piety and her preparation for her role as the mother of Jesus ('Isa).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the best of deeds: 'The most beloved deeds to Allah are the continuous ones, even if they are few' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet said Mary was 'the best of women' (Sunan Ibn Majah), reflecting the Quranic emphasis on her devoutness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true spiritual growth requires consistent, dedicated worship and active participation in community prayer, not merely private devotion. Mary's example demonstrates that excellence in faith is achieved through continuous submission to Allah's guidance and maintaining steadfast commitment to worship alongside the believing community.
Related Ayahs
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَوا۟ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا۟ فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.
وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allāh. And I cure the blind [from birth] and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allāh. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Similar situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied.