3. Aal-i-Imraan

At that time Zakariyya invoked his Lord, saying: "O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation. (38)Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in the Mihrab, (saying): "Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya, believing in the Word from Allah, and Sayyidan, and Hasuran, a Prophet, from among the righteous. (39)He said: "O my Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old, and my wife is barren?" (Allah) said: "Thus Allah does what He wills. (40)He said: "O my Lord! Make a sign for me." (Allah) said: "Your sign is that you shall not speak to the people for three days except by signals. And remember your Lord much, and glorify (Him) in the afternoon and in the morning. (41)

The Supplication of Zakariyya, and the Good News of Yahya's Birth

When Zakariyya saw that Allah provided sustenance for Maryam by giving her the fruits of winter in summer and the fruits of summer in winter, he was eager to have a child of his own. By then, Zakariyya had become an old man, his bones feeble and his head full of gray hair. His wife was an old women who was barren. Yet, he still supplicated to Allah and called Him in secret,

رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ

(O my Lord! Grant me from Ladunka,) from You,

ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً

(A good offspring) meaning, a righteous offspring,

إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

(You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.) Allah said,

فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ

(Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in the Mihrab,) meaning, the angels spoke to him directly while he was secluded, standing in prayer at his place of worship. Allah told us about the good news that the angels delivered to Zakariyya,

أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ

(Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya,) of a child from your offspring, his name is Yahya. Qatadah and other scholars said that he was called Yahya (literally, 'he lives') because Allah filled his life with faith.

Allah said next,

مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ

(believing in the Word from Allah) Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbas said, and also Al-Hasan, Qatadah, 'Ikrimah, Mujahid, Abu Ash-Sha'tha, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas, Ad-Dahhak, and several others said that the Ayah,

مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ

(believing in the Word from Allah) means, "Believing in 'Isa, son of Maryam."

Abu Al-'Aliyah, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas, Qatadah and Sa'id bin Jubayr said that Allah's statement,

وَسَيِّدًا

(And Sayyidan) means, a wise man. Ibn 'Abbas, Ath-Thawri and Ad-Dahhak said that Sayyidan means, "The noble, wise and pious man." Sa'id bin Al-Musayyib said that Sayyid is the scholar and Faqih. 'Atiyah said that Sayyid is the man noble in behavior and piety. 'Ikrimah said that it refers to a person who is not overcome by anger, while Ibn Zayd said that it refers to the noble man. Mujahid said that Sayyidan means, honored by Allah.

Allah's statement,

وَحَصُورًا

(And Hasuran) does not mean he refrains from sexual relations with women, but that he is immune from illegal sexual relations. This does not mean that he does not marry women and have legal sexual relations with them, for …

And (remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the nations. (42)"O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Aqnuti) to your Lord and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki'in. (43)This is a part of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam; nor were you with them when they disputed (44)

The Virtue of Maryam Over the Women of Her Time

Allah states that the angels spoke to Maryam by His command and told her that He chose her because of her service to Him, because of her modesty, honor, innocence, and conviction. Allah also chose her because of her virtue over the women of the world. At-Tirmidhi recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say,

خَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ، وَخَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا خَدِيجَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ

(The best woman (in her time) was Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, and the best woman (of the Prophet's time) is Khadijah (his wife), daughter of Khuwaylid.)"

The Two Sahihs recorded this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

كَمُلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ وَ آسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ

(Many men achieved perfection, but among women, only Maryam the daughter of 'Imran and Asiah, the wife of Fir'awn, achieved perfection.)

The Six, with the exception of Abu Dawud, recorded it. Al-Bukhari's wording for it reads,

كَمُلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا آسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ، وَمَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ، وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ عَائِشَةَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ كَفَضْلِ الثَّرِيدِ عَلى سَائِرِ الطَّعَامِ

(Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Asiah, the wife of Fir'awn, and Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran. The superiority of 'A'ishah (his wife) to other women, is like the superiority of Tharid (meat and bread dish) to other meals.)

We mentioned the various chains of narration and wordings for this Hadith in the story of 'Isa, son of Maryam, in our book, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, all the thanks are due to Allah.

Allah states that the angels commanded Maryam to increase acts of worship, humbleness, submission, prostration, bowing, and so forth, so that she would acquire what Allah had decreed for her, as a test for her. Yet, this test also earned her a higher grade in this life and the Hereafter, for Allah demonstrated His might by creating a son inside her without male intervention. Allah said,

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ

("O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Aqnuti) and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki'in.")

As for Qunut (Aqnuti in the Ayah), it means to submit with humbleness. In another Ayah, Allah said,

بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ

(Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (Qanitun) to Him.)[2:116]

Allah next …

And (remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the nations. (42)"O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Aqnuti) to your Lord and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki'in. (43)This is a part of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam; nor were you with them when they disputed (44)

The Virtue of Maryam Over the Women of Her Time

Allah states that the angels spoke to Maryam by His command and told her that He chose her because of her service to Him, because of her modesty, honor, innocence, and conviction. Allah also chose her because of her virtue over the women of the world. At-Tirmidhi recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say,

خَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ، وَخَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا خَدِيجَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ

(The best woman (in her time) was Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, and the best woman (of the Prophet's time) is Khadijah (his wife), daughter of Khuwaylid.)"

The Two Sahihs recorded this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

كَمُلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ وَ آسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ

(Many men achieved perfection, but among women, only Maryam the daughter of 'Imran and Asiah, the wife of Fir'awn, achieved perfection.)

The Six, with the exception of Abu Dawud, recorded it. Al-Bukhari's wording for it reads,

كَمُلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا آسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ، وَمَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ، وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ عَائِشَةَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ كَفَضْلِ الثَّرِيدِ عَلى سَائِرِ الطَّعَامِ

(Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Asiah, the wife of Fir'awn, and Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran. The superiority of 'A'ishah (his wife) to other women, is like the superiority of Tharid (meat and bread dish) to other meals.)

We mentioned the various chains of narration and wordings for this Hadith in the story of 'Isa, son of Maryam, in our book, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, all the thanks are due to Allah.

Allah states that the angels commanded Maryam to increase acts of worship, humbleness, submission, prostration, bowing, and so forth, so that she would acquire what Allah had decreed for her, as a test for her. Yet, this test also earned her a higher grade in this life and the Hereafter, for Allah demonstrated His might by creating a son inside her without male intervention. Allah said,

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ

("O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Aqnuti) and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki'in.")

As for Qunut (Aqnuti in the Ayah), it means to submit with humbleness. In another Ayah, Allah said,

بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ

(Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (Qanitun) to Him.)[2:116]

Allah next …

And (remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the nations. (42)"O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Aqnuti) to your Lord and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki'in. (43)This is a part of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam; nor were you with them when they disputed (44)

The Virtue of Maryam Over the Women of Her Time

Allah states that the angels spoke to Maryam by His command and told her that He chose her because of her service to Him, because of her modesty, honor, innocence, and conviction. Allah also chose her because of her virtue over the women of the world. At-Tirmidhi recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say,

خَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ، وَخَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا خَدِيجَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ

(The best woman (in her time) was Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, and the best woman (of the Prophet's time) is Khadijah (his wife), daughter of Khuwaylid.)"

The Two Sahihs recorded this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

كَمُلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ وَ آسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ

(Many men achieved perfection, but among women, only Maryam the daughter of 'Imran and Asiah, the wife of Fir'awn, achieved perfection.)

The Six, with the exception of Abu Dawud, recorded it. Al-Bukhari's wording for it reads,

كَمُلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ، وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا آسِيَةُ امْرَأَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ، وَمَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ، وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ عَائِشَةَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ كَفَضْلِ الثَّرِيدِ عَلى سَائِرِ الطَّعَامِ

(Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Asiah, the wife of Fir'awn, and Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran. The superiority of 'A'ishah (his wife) to other women, is like the superiority of Tharid (meat and bread dish) to other meals.)

We mentioned the various chains of narration and wordings for this Hadith in the story of 'Isa, son of Maryam, in our book, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, all the thanks are due to Allah.

Allah states that the angels commanded Maryam to increase acts of worship, humbleness, submission, prostration, bowing, and so forth, so that she would acquire what Allah had decreed for her, as a test for her. Yet, this test also earned her a higher grade in this life and the Hereafter, for Allah demonstrated His might by creating a son inside her without male intervention. Allah said,

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ

("O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Aqnuti) and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki'in.")

As for Qunut (Aqnuti in the Ayah), it means to submit with humbleness. In another Ayah, Allah said,

بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ

(Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (Qanitun) to Him.)[2:116]

Allah next …

(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him, his name will be Al-Masih, 'Isa, the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and he will be one of those who are near to Allah. (45)"He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous. (46)She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me." He said: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: 'Be! ـ and it is. (47)

Delivering the Good News to Maryam of 'Isa's Birth

This Ayah contains the glad tidings the angels brought to Maryam that she would give birth to a mighty son who will have a great future. Allah said,

إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ

((Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him,) a son who will come into existence with a word from Allah, 'Be', and he was. This is the meaning of Allah's statement (about Yahya)

مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ

(Believing in the Word from Allah.)[3:39], according to the majority of the scholars.

اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

(His name will be Al-Masih, 'Isa, the son of Maryam) and he will be known by this name in this life, especially by the believers. 'Isa was called "Al-Masih" (the Messiah) because when he touched (Mash) those afflicted with an illness, they would be healed by Allah's leave. Allah's statement,

عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

('Isa, the son of Maryam) relates 'Isa to his mother, because he did not have a father.

وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

(Held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.) meaning, he will be a leader and honored by Allah in this life, because of the Law that Allah will reveal to him, sending down the Scripture to him, along with the other bounties that Allah will grant him with. 'Isa will be honored in the Hereafter and will intercede with Allah, by His leave, on behalf of some people, just as is the case with his brethren the mighty Messengers of Allah, peace be upon them all.

Isa Spoke When He was Still in the Cradle

Allah said,

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا

(He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood,) calling to the worship of Allah Alone without partners, while still in the cradle, as a miracle from Allah, and when he is a man, by Allah's revelation to him.

Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

مَا تَكَلَّمَ مَوْلُودٌ فِي صِغَرِهِ إِلَّا عِيسَى وَصَاحِبُ جُرَيْجٍ

(No infant spoke in the cradle except 'Isa and the companion of Jurayj.)

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet ﷺ said,

لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ فِي الْمَهْدِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةٌ: عِيسَى، وَصَبِيٌّ كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ جُرَيْجٍ، وَصَبِيٌّ آخَرُ

(No infant spoke in the cradle except three, 'Isa, the boy during the time of Jurayj, and another boy.)

وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

(And he will be one of the righteous.) in his statements and actions, for he will …

(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him, his name will be Al-Masih, 'Isa, the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and he will be one of those who are near to Allah. (45)"He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous. (46)She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me." He said: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: 'Be! ـ and it is. (47)

Delivering the Good News to Maryam of 'Isa's Birth

This Ayah contains the glad tidings the angels brought to Maryam that she would give birth to a mighty son who will have a great future. Allah said,

إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ

((Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him,) a son who will come into existence with a word from Allah, 'Be', and he was. This is the meaning of Allah's statement (about Yahya)

مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ

(Believing in the Word from Allah.)[3:39], according to the majority of the scholars.

اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

(His name will be Al-Masih, 'Isa, the son of Maryam) and he will be known by this name in this life, especially by the believers. 'Isa was called "Al-Masih" (the Messiah) because when he touched (Mash) those afflicted with an illness, they would be healed by Allah's leave. Allah's statement,

عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

('Isa, the son of Maryam) relates 'Isa to his mother, because he did not have a father.

وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

(Held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.) meaning, he will be a leader and honored by Allah in this life, because of the Law that Allah will reveal to him, sending down the Scripture to him, along with the other bounties that Allah will grant him with. 'Isa will be honored in the Hereafter and will intercede with Allah, by His leave, on behalf of some people, just as is the case with his brethren the mighty Messengers of Allah, peace be upon them all.

Isa Spoke When He was Still in the Cradle

Allah said,

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا

(He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood,) calling to the worship of Allah Alone without partners, while still in the cradle, as a miracle from Allah, and when he is a man, by Allah's revelation to him.

Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

مَا تَكَلَّمَ مَوْلُودٌ فِي صِغَرِهِ إِلَّا عِيسَى وَصَاحِبُ جُرَيْجٍ

(No infant spoke in the cradle except 'Isa and the companion of Jurayj.)

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet ﷺ said,

لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ فِي الْمَهْدِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةٌ: عِيسَى، وَصَبِيٌّ كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ جُرَيْجٍ، وَصَبِيٌّ آخَرُ

(No infant spoke in the cradle except three, 'Isa, the boy during the time of Jurayj, and another boy.)

وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

(And he will be one of the righteous.) in his statements and actions, for he will …

(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him, his name will be Al-Masih, 'Isa, the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and he will be one of those who are near to Allah. (45)"He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous. (46)She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me." He said: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: 'Be! ـ and it is. (47)

Delivering the Good News to Maryam of 'Isa's Birth

This Ayah contains the glad tidings the angels brought to Maryam that she would give birth to a mighty son who will have a great future. Allah said,

إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ

((Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him,) a son who will come into existence with a word from Allah, 'Be', and he was. This is the meaning of Allah's statement (about Yahya)

مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ

(Believing in the Word from Allah.)[3:39], according to the majority of the scholars.

اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

(His name will be Al-Masih, 'Isa, the son of Maryam) and he will be known by this name in this life, especially by the believers. 'Isa was called "Al-Masih" (the Messiah) because when he touched (Mash) those afflicted with an illness, they would be healed by Allah's leave. Allah's statement,

عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

('Isa, the son of Maryam) relates 'Isa to his mother, because he did not have a father.

وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

(Held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.) meaning, he will be a leader and honored by Allah in this life, because of the Law that Allah will reveal to him, sending down the Scripture to him, along with the other bounties that Allah will grant him with. 'Isa will be honored in the Hereafter and will intercede with Allah, by His leave, on behalf of some people, just as is the case with his brethren the mighty Messengers of Allah, peace be upon them all.

Isa Spoke When He was Still in the Cradle

Allah said,

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا

(He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood,) calling to the worship of Allah Alone without partners, while still in the cradle, as a miracle from Allah, and when he is a man, by Allah's revelation to him.

Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

مَا تَكَلَّمَ مَوْلُودٌ فِي صِغَرِهِ إِلَّا عِيسَى وَصَاحِبُ جُرَيْجٍ

(No infant spoke in the cradle except 'Isa and the companion of Jurayj.)

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet ﷺ said,

لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ فِي الْمَهْدِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةٌ: عِيسَى، وَصَبِيٌّ كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ جُرَيْجٍ، وَصَبِيٌّ آخَرُ

(No infant spoke in the cradle except three, 'Isa, the boy during the time of Jurayj, and another boy.)

وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

(And he will be one of the righteous.) in his statements and actions, for he will …

And He will teach him the Book and Al-Hikmah, and the Tawrah and the Injil (48)And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave; and I heal the blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah's leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. (49)"(And I have come) confirming that which was before me of the Tawrah, and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So have Taqwa of Allah and obey me. (50)"Truly, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the straight path. (51)

The Description of 'Isa and the Miracles He Performed

Allah states that the good news brought to Maryam about 'Isa was even better because Allah would teach him,

الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ

(the Book and Al-Hikmah). It appears that the 'Book' the Ayah mentioned here refers to writing. We explained the meaning of Al-Hikmah in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah.

التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ

(the Tawrah and the Injil). The Tawrah is the Book that Allah sent down to Musa, son of 'Imran, while the Injil is what Allah sent down to 'Isa, son of Maryam, peace be upon them, and 'Isa memorized both Books. Allah's statement,

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ

(And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel) means, that Allah will send 'Isa as a Messenger to the Children of Israel, proclaiming to them,

أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave). These are the miracles that 'Isa performed; he used to make the shape of a bird from clay and blow into it, and it became a bird by Allah's leave. Allah made this a miracle for 'Isa to testify that He had sent him.

وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ

(And I heal him who is Akmah) meaning, 'a person who was born blind,' which perfects this miracle and makes the challenge more daring.

وَالْأَبْرَصَ

(And the leper) which is a known disease,

وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(And I bring the dead to life by Allah's leave).

Many scholars stated that Allah sent every Prophet with a miracle suitable to his time. For instance, in the time of Musa, magic was the trade of the time, and magicians held a high position. So Allah sent Musa with a miracle that captured the eyes and bewildered every magician. When the magicians realized that Musa's miracle came from the Almighty, Most Great, they embraced Islam and became pious believers. As for 'Isa, he was sent during a time when medicine and knowledge in physics were advancing. 'Isa brought them the types of miracles that could not be performed, except by one sent by Allah. How can any physician bring life to clay, cure blindness and leprosy and bring …

And He will teach him the Book and Al-Hikmah, and the Tawrah and the Injil (48)And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave; and I heal the blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah's leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. (49)"(And I have come) confirming that which was before me of the Tawrah, and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So have Taqwa of Allah and obey me. (50)"Truly, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the straight path. (51)

The Description of 'Isa and the Miracles He Performed

Allah states that the good news brought to Maryam about 'Isa was even better because Allah would teach him,

الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ

(the Book and Al-Hikmah). It appears that the 'Book' the Ayah mentioned here refers to writing. We explained the meaning of Al-Hikmah in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah.

التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ

(the Tawrah and the Injil). The Tawrah is the Book that Allah sent down to Musa, son of 'Imran, while the Injil is what Allah sent down to 'Isa, son of Maryam, peace be upon them, and 'Isa memorized both Books. Allah's statement,

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ

(And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel) means, that Allah will send 'Isa as a Messenger to the Children of Israel, proclaiming to them,

أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave). These are the miracles that 'Isa performed; he used to make the shape of a bird from clay and blow into it, and it became a bird by Allah's leave. Allah made this a miracle for 'Isa to testify that He had sent him.

وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ

(And I heal him who is Akmah) meaning, 'a person who was born blind,' which perfects this miracle and makes the challenge more daring.

وَالْأَبْرَصَ

(And the leper) which is a known disease,

وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ

(And I bring the dead to life by Allah's leave).

Many scholars stated that Allah sent every Prophet with a miracle suitable to his time. For instance, in the time of Musa, magic was the trade of the time, and magicians held a high position. So Allah sent Musa with a miracle that captured the eyes and bewildered every magician. When the magicians realized that Musa's miracle came from the Almighty, Most Great, they embraced Islam and became pious believers. As for 'Isa, he was sent during a time when medicine and knowledge in physics were advancing. 'Isa brought them the types of miracles that could not be performed, except by one sent by Allah. How can any physician bring life to clay, cure blindness and leprosy and bring …