Surah 19: Mary - Overview

Verses	Description
19:1-15	Zakariya and Yahya, father and son; Yahya, herald of Jesus
19:16-40	Jesus and his mother Mary; Jesus a prophet and servant of God
19:41-65	Abraham and his father; Moses and his brother; Isma'il the Sacrifice of God and Ismai'l's father
19:66-98	The Hereafter certain: let us not stray, but glorify God

Introduction

The spiritual growth of man as an individual soul having been explained in Surah 17, as beginning with the first principles of moral conduct and in Surah 18, as being dependent upon our realization of the brevity. and mystery of this life and the true use of power as in the story of Dhu al Qarnayn, we now pass on the story of individual Messengers of God in their personal relations with their environment -- Yahya with his father Zakariya, Jesus with his mother Mary; Abraham with his unbelieving father, Moses with his brother Aaron, Isma'il with his family, and Idris in the high station to which he was called. Seeing how these great ones fitted into the scheme of life, man is condemned for his want of faith, or for degrading his faith to superstition, and warned of the Hereafter.

In chronology, it was revealed before the first resort of the batch of Muslims to Abyssinia, say seven years before Hijrah.

Summary

1- Zakariya was anxious to have an heir to carry on God's work in a world of unrighteousness, and Yahya was given to him. (19:1-15)

Private and Public [19:1-15] Men of God show their qualities in their private relationships as much as in their public ministry. Zakariya was anxious, in a world of unrighteousness, to find a successor to continue his godly errand. He was given a son, Yahya, who heralded Jesus, and lived a life of wisdom, gentle love, and purity.

2- Mary the mother of Jesus was maligned by her people, but Jesus comforted her and was good to her. (19:16-40)

Slander and Abuse [19:16-40] Next comes the story of Jesus and his mother Mary. She gave birth, as a virgin, to Jesus. But her people slandered and abused her as a disgrace to her lineage. Her son did defend her and was kind to her. He was a servant of God, a true Prophet, blessed in the gifts of Prayer and Charity, but no more than a man: to call him the son of God is to derogate from God's Majesty, for God is High above all His Creatures, the Judge of the Last Day.

3- Abraham was persecuted for his Faith by his people, including his unbelieving father, but he withdrew from them, and was blessed; Moses was helped by his brother Aaron; Isma'il brought up his family in piety; and Idris was truthful and pious in a high station; they showed the way; yet men will not learn the good of life. (19:41-65)

Loving Earnestness [19:41-65] Abraham pleaded with loving earnestness with his father to accept the truth of God: he was turned out, but he retained his gentleness and was blessed. Moses asked for the aid of his brother Aaron and was true to his people. Isma'il was loyal to his father and his God, and was a willing and accepted sacrifice to God. Idris in his highest station held fast to truth and integrity. Thus are the righteous shown true in their personal environment, and inherit the Bliss in which the salutation is Peace -- perfect Peace, the reward of the Constant.

4- Man should not disbelieve in the Hereafter, nor sully his faith by false notions about God. (19:68-98)

Passing Through the Fire [19:66-98] Why should man disbelieve in the Hereafter? We all must pass through the fire of temptation, but God Most Gracious will save us if we accept Him and do right. Sin may have its respite, but must run to its own destruction. We must not dishonor God by holding false and monstrous ideas of Him. Glory to Him that He cares for all His creatures!