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
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
To Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allāh will [all] matters be returned.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
وَإِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
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.