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

Pleased with His Decree

(Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Six)

Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) realized that in conceiving Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam), there was a test for her, as people would notice that she was expecting and would ask who had fathered the child. However, she placed her trust in Allah Ta‘ala and accepted that this was His decision.

The first person to notice that Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was expecting was her cousin, Yusuf bin Ya’qoob Najjaar. Since he was well aware of the piety and chastity of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), and everyone knew that she was unmarried, he was extremely surprised to see that she was expecting a child.

He thus asked her, “O Maryam (‘alaihas salaam)! Is it possible for a plant to grow without a seed first being planted?” She replied, “Yes! After all, who created the very first plant?” He next asked her, “Is it possible for a tree to grow without water and rain?” She replied, “Yes! After all, who created the first tree?” Finally, he asked, “Can a child be born without a father?” She replied, “Yes! Allah Ta‘ala created Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) without a mother or a father.” She then informed him that Allah Ta‘ala had given her the glad tidings of being the mother of Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) without the intermediary of any father.

When Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) would be in solitude, Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) would converse with her and speak to her from within the womb, and when she would be among people, he would engage in reciting tasbeeh.

(Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2 pgs. 73 to 75)

Lesson:

We should never desire or ask to be tested by Allah Ta‘ala. However, if He has decreed a certain test for us, be it an illness, financial difficulty or any other test, then we should place our trust in Him and be happy with His decision. We should never question Allah Ta‘ala, and we should turn to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa saying, “O Allah! Since you have given me this test, and I am weak, You assist me to pass this test and secure Your happiness.”

The Maqaam-e-Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam)

فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

In it are clear signs (among which is) the Maqaam-e-Ebrahim.

Maqaam-e-Ebrahim refers to the stone on which Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) would stand when he was building the Ka‘bah. As the height of the building rose, the stone would automatically rise, lifting Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) so that he could continue to build the Ka’bah, and when it was time for Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) to return to the ground, the stone would automatically descend.

The impression of the blessed footprints of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) can be seen in the stone until today. It is obviously a miracle for a stone to automatically rise and descend, based on the need of the person standing on it, and for a hard stone to soften sufficiently so that it could be imprinted with his footsteps. It is for this reason that Allah Ta‘ala says that the Maqaam-e-Ebrahim contains clear signs (that will guide one to recognize Allah Ta‘ala).

The Maqaam-e-Ebrahim is housed in a round structure made from glass and metal, located on the mataaf, close to the door of the Ka‘bah.

‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The Hajr-e-Aswad and Maqaam-e-Ebrahim are two precious stones from the precious stones of Jannah. Allah Ta‘ala has extinguished their radiance. Had Allah not extinguished their radiance, they would have illuminated everything between the east and the west.” (Sunan Tirmizi #878)

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

The Preparation of Piety

Allah Ta‘ala instructed the angels to give Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) the glad tidings that she would give birth to a son named ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) without the medium of a father. The angels also gave her the glad tidings that this son would be the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala who would invite people towards Him while still a child. However, Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was instructed to exert herself in ‘ibaadah so that she would become worthy of this great favour and bounty of Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, she exerted herself in ‘ibaadah and performing salaah to such an extent that her legs would become swollen.

Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) would only leave Musjidul Aqsa when she was impure or when she had a need to fulfill. Once, while she was out, Allah Ta‘ala sent Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) to her in the form of a man. As soon as she saw him, out of her extreme purity, chastity and shame, she exclaimed, “I seek the protection of the Most Merciful from you! If you possess taqwa (then do not come close to me)!” Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) assured her that he was an angel sent to her by Allah Ta‘ala to bless her with a child. She asked, “How will I give birth to a son whereas no man has touched me (I am unmarried) and I am not unchaste?” Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) replied, “So it will be. Your Lord has said, ‘It is easy for me.’” Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) then blew into her collar through which Allah Ta‘ala caused Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) to be conceived.

References: Surah Aal ‘Imraan v45-46, Surah Maryam v16-21, Tafseer Ibni Katheer vol. 2, pg. 346 and Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2, pgs. 67, 73 and 74.

Lessons:

1. Allah Ta‘ala had honoured Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) above all the women of the world to be the mother of Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) without the medium of a father. However, in order to become worthy of this bounty, she was instructed to exert herself in ‘ibaadah. Similarly, Allah Ta‘ala loves all His servants and wishes to bless them and shower His favours upon them. However, the general system of Allah Ta‘ala is that He blesses His servants when they strive and show that they are eager for His blessings. Hence, together with making du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala for Him to bless us, we have to exert ourselves in His ‘ibaadah and in acquiring His pleasure.

2. As soon as a strange man had come close to Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), she sought the protection of Allah Ta‘ala and reminded the man to adopt taqwa. This is the automatic, spontaneous reaction of a person who possesses hayaa (shame and modesty) – that they are always on their guard and are wary of non-mahrams coming close to them or approaching them.

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

The ‘Produce’ of Piety

(Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Four)

Allah Ta‘ala bestowed Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) with His divine acceptance and blessed her to receive an upbringing that was excellent and outstanding. In regard to her upbringing, Allah Ta‘ala mentions in the Quraan Majeed, “And her Lord accepted her graciously and made her grow excellently.”

One aspect of “making her grow excellently” is that she received an excellent upbringing of piety and righteousness. Hence, from a young age, she would remain engaged in the worship and obedience of Allah Ta‘ala.

It is on account of this very piety and purity with which Allah Ta‘ala had blessed her that Allah Ta‘ala instructed the angels to announce to her, “O Maryam (‘alaihas salaam)! Indeed Allah Ta‘ala has selected you, purified you and chosen you above all women.”

As she was in the care of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam), he would often enter the special area in which Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) would remain and engage in the worship of Allah Ta‘ala. To the surprise of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam), whenever he would enter, he would find that she had fruit that was out of season! In winter, she would be enjoying the fruit of summer, and in summer, she would be enjoying the fruit of winter. Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) asked her, “O Maryam (‘alaihas salaam)! From where does this come to you?” She replied, “It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.”

At that moment, although Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) was advanced in age, he desired to be blessed with a child. Hence, he turned to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa and supplicated saying, “O the One who blessed Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) with fruit that was out of season, bless me with a child, even though I have passed the ‘season’ (age) of fatherhood.”

Allah Ta‘ala accepted the du‘aa of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) and eventually blessed him with a son who was Nabi Yahya (‘alaihis salaam).

(Surah Aal ‘Imraan v37-39 and v42, Bayaanul Quraan vol. 1 pg. 223, Tafseer Ibni Katheer vol. 2 pg. 344 and Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2 pg. 65)

Lessons:

1. Just as every parent wishes that their child will have good and healthy physical development, they should have an even greater concern for the Deeni and imaani upbringing and development of their children. In this regard, it is incumbent for them to constantly make du‘aa for their children’s Deen and imaan – if not after every salaah, then at least once a day. Additionally, they must ensure that their children attend a good maktab madrasah and daily ta’leem is conducted in the home.

2. Allah Ta‘ala alone is the sole Sustainer of every creation. When we have firm imaan and conviction in this, we will turn to Allah Ta‘ala and believe that it is only in obeying Him and pleasing Him that we will gain barakah (blessings) in our sustenance. Furthermore, just as Allah Ta‘ala sent fruit that was out of season for Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) while she was within her chamber, Allah Ta‘ala can easily arrange and see to our sustenance while we remain within our homes seeking His pleasure.

3. The power of du‘aa should never be forgotten or overlooked. Allah Ta‘ala, in the blink of an eye, can literally make our dreams come true. Remain in the obedience of Allah Ta‘ala and turn to Him for your every need.