The Best of Women (Pious Women) ~ Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Three

(Sayyidah Maryam ‘alaihas salaam – Part Three)

After Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was weaned, her mother, Hannah, wrapped her in blankets and proceeded with her to the musjid. As she had dedicated this child to the worship of Allah Ta‘ala, she made her over to the devout worshippers who resided in the musjid so that she could dedicate herself to worshipping Allah Ta‘ala as well. When Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was brought to the musjid, all the worshippers wished to have the honour of raising her.

Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) was the prophet of the time, and he also wished to have the honour of raising Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), especially as she was his niece (his wife was the sister of Hannah). Hence, to decide who would have the honour of raising her, they decided to draw lots.

To draw lots, they all put their pens together. Thereafter, the pens were left in a certain place, after which a young boy was instructed to draw one pen from the lot. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) that was drawn.

The worshippers asked Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) to draw lots for a second time, and he agreed. On this occasion, they all cast their pens into the river, agreeing that the decision would be in favour of the pen which miraculously flowed against the current. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) which flowed against the current, while all the other pens flowed with the current.

Finally, the worshippers asked Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) to draw lots for a third time, and he agreed. On this instance, they cast their pens into the river, agreeing that the decision would be in favour of the pen which flowed with the current, while the other pens flow against the current. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) which flowed with the current, while the other pens flowed against the current. In this manner, due to Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) being the most worthy of raising her, on account of being the Nabi and also because his wife was the aunt of Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), Allah Ta‘ala allowed him to raise Maryam (‘alaihas salaam).

Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) then arranged a special area which was exclusive for Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam). She would remain in this area and engage in worshipping Allah Ta‘ala throughout the day and night. She exerted herself in worship to such an extent that her worship was regarded as proverbial among the Banu Israaeel.

(Surah Aal ‘Imraan v44 and Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2 pg. 65)

Lessons:

1. When Allah Ta‘ala decrees that a person will receive something, he will most definitely receive it. Be it a child, sustenance or anything else, everything is in the control of Allah Ta‘ala. If we secure His help, we will be able to overcome any challenge.

2. In raising Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) ensured that she was in seclusion, as solitude is conducive to worshipping Allah Ta‘ala. Since the objective of solitude is to allow a person to achieve peace of mind and remain focused, we should try to achieve the same result through ‘cutting off’ from anything and everything that is not necessary in our lives and will distract us. At present, perhaps the most destructive distractions are social media, novels, etc., all of which are made available through the internet. Hence, our seclusion and the seclusion of our children lies in disconnecting from unnecessary usage of the internet so that we may connect with Allah Ta‘ala.