3. Aal-i-Imraan

(Say) O Muhammad!: (If ye love Allah) and His religion, (follow me) follow my Religion; (Allah will love you) He will increase your love (and forgive you your sins) which were committed when you followed Judaism. (Allah is Forgiving) of whoever repents, (Merciful) towards whoever dies in a state of repentance. This verse was revealed about the Jews who claimed they were the children of Allah and His beloved ones. When this verse was revealed 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy said: �Muhammad is commanding us to love him as the Christians loved Jesus�, and the Jews said: �Muhammad wants us to take him as a compassionate Lord, just as the Christians took Jesus as a compassionate Lord�.

Consequently, Allah revealed about their comments: (Say: Obey Allah) regarding what He has obligated (and the Messenger) in his practices. (But if they turn away) from obeying them, (Lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers) the Jews and the hypocrites.

When the Jews heard this, they said: �we follow the religion of Adam: we are Muslims�, and so Allah revealed the following: (Lo! Allah preferred Adam) with Islam (and Noah) with Islam (and the Family of Abraham) the children of Abraham with Islam (and the Family of 'Imran) Moses and Aaron with Islam (above (all His) creatures) above all the people of their times. It is also said that Amran is not the father of Moses and Aaron.

(They were descendants one of another) some follow the religion of others and the offspring of some are the descendents of others. (Allah is Hearer) of what the Jews say: that they are Allah's children and beloved ones and that they follow His religion, (Knower) of their punishment and of whom is following His religion.

Remember, O Muhammad (When the wife of Imran) Hannah, the mother of Mary (said: My Lord I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering)) a servant at the Sanctuary of Jerusalem. (Accept it from me. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer) of prayers, (the Knower!) of the answer and of that which is in my womb.

(And when she was delivered) what was in her womb and it was a baby girl (she said: My Lord! Lo! I am delivered of a female) a baby girl. (Allah knew best of what she was delivered. The male is not as the female) in service and weakness; (and Lo! I have named her Mary, and Lo! I crave Thy protection for her) I seek for her Your protection and safety (and for her offspring from Satan the outcast) the accursed.

(And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance) He was good to her and accepted her instead of accepting a boy (and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth) He nurtured her well in worship throughout the years, months, days and hours; (and made Zachariah her guardian) he joined her to him for training. (Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was) the room where she worshipped, (he found that she had food) the fruit of winter in the summer, such as culms of corn, and the fruits of summer in the winter such as grapes. (He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)?) how did you get this food out of its season? (She answered: It is from Allah) Gabriel brought it to me. (Allah giveth without stint) without pause or measure (to whom He will) in its season or out of it.

(Then) at that point (Zachariah prayed unto) and wished from (his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow upon me of Thy bounty) from You (goodly offspring) a righteous child. (Lo! Thou art the Hearer of Prayer) You are the One Who answers prayers.

(And the angels) i.e. the Angel Gabriel (called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary) in the mosque: (Allah giveth thee glad tidings of John) a son whose name is John, ((who cometh) to confirm a Word from Allah) Jesus son of Mary that he will be a word from Allah, created without a father, (lordly) who is clement when wronged, (chaste) has no desire for women, (a Prophet of the righteous) among the messengers.

(He said: My Lord) Zachariah said to Gabriel: O master! (How can I have a son when age hath overtaken me already) when I am very old (and my wife is barren) and cannot conceive children? ((The angel) answered: So (it will be)) as I have told you. (Allah doeth what He will).