Explore Surah Maryam (Mary), Chapter 19 of the Holy Quran, with full text and insightful comments. Discover the stories of Mary, Prophet Jesus, Prophet Zakariya, and others, highlighting faith, mercy, and Allah’s power in simple and clear language.
Surah 19: Maryam (Mary)
Introduction
Surah Maryam is the 19th chapter of the Holy Qur’an and was revealed in Makkah. It contains 98 verses and is named after Maryam (Mary), the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, and this Surah honors her by naming a chapter after her.
This Surah begins with the touching story of Prophet Zakariya (Zachariah), an elderly man who prays for a child and is blessed with a son, Yahya (John). It then moves to the miraculous birth of Isa (Jesus), born without a father, through Maryam, who remains pure and devoted to Allah.
The Surah continues with the stories of several other prophets, including Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isma’il (Ishmael), and Idris. These stories highlight the patience, faith, and obedience of Allah’s messengers, as well as the challenges they faced.
Surah Maryam also warns those who reject the truth and invent lies against Allah, such as claiming He has a son. It strongly refutes this false belief and affirms the oneness of Allah.
The chapter concludes with a description of the Day of Judgment, the rewards of the righteous, and the punishment for the wrongdoers. It is a chapter full of mercy, hope, and deep reminders of Allah’s justice and compassion.
This Surah emphasizes:
- The power of prayer and trust in Allah,
- The purity and honor of Maryam and her son Isa,
- The importance of worship and obedience,
- And the certainty of life after death.
Surah Maryam is especially known for its emotional and spiritual tone, and it is often recited for comfort, reflection, and remembrance of Allah’s mercy. 0 0 0
Surah 19: Maryam (Mary): Text
In the Name of Allah – the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
1. Kaf. Ha. Ya. ‘Ayn. Saad.
2. This is a mention of the mercy your Lord showed to His servant Zakariya.
3. When he called out to his Lord in a quiet, secret voice,
4. He said, ‘My Lord, my bones have become weak, and my head shines with grey hair, but I have never been disappointed in my prayers to You, my Lord.
5. And I fear what will happen after me to my relatives, and my wife is barren, so grant me a successor from Yourself,
6. Who will inherit from me and from the family of Ya’qub (Jacob), and make him, my Lord, someone pleasing to You.’
7. [Allah said,] ‘O Zakariya! We give you the good news of a son—his name will be Yahya (John). We have not given this name to anyone before him.’
8. He said, ‘My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I have become extremely old and frail?’
9. [The angel] said, ‘That is how your Lord has said it will be. It is easy for Me. I created you before, and you were nothing.’
10. He said, ‘My Lord, give me a sign.’ He said, ‘Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three nights, though you are perfectly healthy.’
11. So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to glorify Allah morning and evening.
12. [It was said:] ‘O Yahya! Hold firmly to the Scripture.’ And We gave him wisdom as a child,
13. And tenderness from Us, and purity. And he was someone who was mindful [of God].
14. He was good to his parents, and he was not arrogant or rebellious.
15. Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised to life again.
16. And mention in the Book the story of Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east.
17. She veiled herself from them, then We sent to her Our spirit (the angel), and he appeared to her as a perfect man.
18. She said, ‘I seek protection from you in the Most Merciful—if you fear Him!’
19. He said, ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, to give you a pure boy.’
20. She said, ‘How can I have a boy when no man has touched me, and I have not been unchaste?‘
21. He said, ‘So it will be. Your Lord says: It is easy for Me. And We will make him a sign for people and a mercy from Us. It is a matter already decided.’
22. So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place.
23. Then the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh! I wish I had died before this and was completely forgotten!’
24. Then he (a voice) called to her from beneath her, ‘Do not be sad! Your Lord has provided a stream beneath you.
25. And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you—it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you.
26. So eat and drink and be comforted. And if you see anyone, say, “I have vowed to the Most Merciful to fast (from speech), so I will not speak to anyone today.”‘
27. Then she came to her people carrying him. They said, ‘O Mary! You have done something terrible!
28. O sister of Harun (Aaron), your father was not an evil man, and your mother was not unchaste!’
29. So she pointed to him. They said, ‘How can we speak to a baby in the cradle?’
30. He said, ‘I am indeed the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
31. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be and has instructed me to pray and give charity as long as I live,
32. And to be good to my mother. He has not made me arrogant or miserable.
33. Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised to life again.’
34. That is Jesus, son of Mary—a true word about which they doubt.
35. It is not fitting for Allah to have a son. Glory be to Him! When He decides something, He only says, ‘Be!’—and it is.
36. And Jesus said, ‘Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.’
37. But the groups differed among themselves, so woe to those who disbelieve when they face a momentous Day.
38. How clearly they will hear and see on the Day they come to Us! But the wrongdoers today are in clear error.
39. So warn them of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be decided. But they are unaware now and do not believe.
40. It is We who will inherit the earth and all who are on it, and to Us they will be returned.
41. And mention in the Book the story of Ibrahim (Abraham). He was a man of truth and a prophet.
42. He said to his father, ‘O my father! Why do you worship something that neither hears nor sees and cannot help you at all?
43. O my father! Knowledge has come to me that did not come to you. So follow me, and I will guide you to a straight path.
44. O my father! Do not worship Satan. Surely Satan has always been disobedient to the Most Merciful.
45. O my father! I fear that a punishment from the Most Merciful will touch you, and you will become a companion of Satan.’
46. He replied, ‘Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim? If you do not stop, I will surely stone you. Leave me alone for a long time!’
47. Ibrahim said, ‘Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is most kind to me.
48. And I will distance myself from you and from whatever you call upon besides Allah. I will pray to my Lord. I trust that I will not be disappointed in my prayer to my Lord.’
49. So after he left them and whatever they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya’qub (Jacob), and each of them We made a prophet.
50. And We gave them Our mercy and granted them a noble reputation of truth.
51. And mention in the Book the story of Musa (Moses). He was truly chosen, and he was a messenger and a prophet.
52. We called him from the right side of the mountain and brought him close for private conversation.
53. And We gave him, out of Our mercy, his brother Harun (Aaron) as a prophet.
54. And mention in the Book the story of Isma’il (Ishmael). He was true to his promise and was a messenger and a prophet.
55. He used to command his family to pray and give charity, and he was pleasing to his Lord.
56. And mention in the Book the story of Idris. He was a man of truth and a prophet.
57. We raised him to a high position.
58. These were the ones upon whom Allah had bestowed favor—from the descendants of Adam, from those We carried with Nuh (Noah), and from the descendants of Ibrahim and Israel, and from those We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell down in prostration and weeping.
59. But after them came generations who neglected prayer and followed their desires, so they will face the consequences of their misguidance,
60. Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds. They will enter Paradise and will not be wronged in the least.
61. Gardens of eternity, promised by the Most Merciful to His servants, even though they cannot see it. His promise will surely come true.
62. They will not hear any idle talk there—only words of peace. And they will have their provision there morning and evening.
63. That is the Paradise which We will give to those of Our servants who were mindful of Us.
64. We (the angels) do not come down except by the command of your Lord. To Him belongs all that is before us and all that is behind us and everything in between. And your Lord is never forgetful.
65. He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between. So worship Him and remain constant in His worship. Do you know anyone equal to Him?
66. And the disbelieving human says, ‘When I am dead, will I really be brought back to life?’
67. Does the human not remember that We created him before, when he was nothing?
68. By your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils, then We will bring them around Hell on their knees.
69. Then We will pull out from each group those who were most rebellious against the Most Merciful.
70. And We certainly know best who deserves to burn in it.
71. And every one of you will pass over it—this is a decree from your Lord that must be fulfilled.
72. Then We will save those who were mindful of Allah, and We will leave the wrongdoers there on their knees.
73. When Our clear verses are recited to them, the disbelievers say to the believers, ‘Which of the two groups is better in status and has a better gathering?’
74. How many generations We destroyed before them who were far better in wealth and outward appearance!
75. Say, ‘Whoever is in error, the Most Merciful will let him continue in his misguidance until, when they see what they were warned of—either the punishment or the Hour—they will know who is worse in position and weaker in forces.’
76. And Allah increases guidance for those who are guided. And lasting good deeds are better in reward with your Lord and better in outcome.
77. Have you seen the one who rejects Our verses and says, ‘I will surely be given wealth and children’?
78. Has he looked into the unseen, or taken a promise from the Most Merciful?
79. No! We will record what he says and extend his punishment.
80. And We will inherit what he boasts of, and he will come to Us all alone.
81. They have taken other gods besides Allah, hoping they would give them honor.
82. But no! They will deny their worship of them and become their enemies.
83. Do you not see that We have sent the devils upon the disbelievers, pushing them into sin constantly?
84. So do not be hasty with them. We are only counting down their time precisely.
85. On the Day We will gather the righteous before the Most Merciful as honored guests,
86. And drive the wicked to Hell like thirsty cattle being herded.
87. No one will have the power to intercede except those who had taken a promise from the Most Merciful.
88. And they say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken a son!’
89. You have certainly made a terrible statement.
90. The heavens are about to burst from it, the earth to split, and the mountains to crumble in pieces,
91. That they claim the Most Merciful has a son.
92. It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to take a son.
93. Everyone in the heavens and earth comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.
94. He has fully counted them and numbered them exactly.
95. And all of them will come to Him on the Day of Judgment alone.
96. Surely those who believe and do good deeds—the Most Merciful will give them love.
97. So We have made this [Qur’an] easy in your language, so that you may give good news to the righteous and warn the stubborn people.
98. And how many generations We destroyed before them! Do you see any trace of them now—or even hear a whisper from them? 0 0 0
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Comment
Surah Maryam is a powerful and emotional chapter of the Qur’an. It reminds us of the greatness of Allah’s mercy and the strength of those who believe in Him. The Surah starts by showing how Prophet Zakariya, even in old age, never gave up hope in Allah. His sincere prayers were answered with the birth of Yahya (John), a pure and obedient prophet.
Next, the Surah honors Maryam, a woman of great faith and purity. Her story teaches us about patience, modesty, and trust in Allah. Even when people accused her wrongly, she remained silent and let her infant son, Isa (Jesus), speak by Allah’s command to defend her. This miracle shows that Allah’s power has no limits.
Throughout the Surah, Allah mentions other prophets—Ibrahim, Musa, Isma’il, Idris—to remind us of their sacrifices, their truthfulness, and their devotion. These stories are not just history—they are lessons for us to stay firm in faith and to rely on Allah in all situations.
One of the key messages of this Surah is the oneness of Allah. It firmly rejects the false belief that Allah has a son. Instead, it teaches that everyone—whether human, prophet, or angel—is a servant of Allah. No one shares His power or position.
The Surah also speaks about the Day of Judgment. It describes the fear and regret of disbelievers on that Day and the reward of those who lived a righteous life. It gives hope to the believers and warns those who turn away.
Another special point is the tone of mercy in this Surah. The word ‘Ar-Rahman’ (the Most Merciful) is mentioned again and again, reminding us that Allah is full of kindness and love, especially toward those who turn to Him.
In summary, Surah Maryam teaches:
- To pray with sincerity, like Zakariya,
- To be pure and strong like Maryam,
- To speak truthfully and stay humble like the prophets,
- To worship only Allah and rely on His mercy,
- And to prepare for the life after death.
This Surah is a reminder that no matter how hard life becomes, Allah’s mercy and help are always near. 0 0 0
Maryam (Mary): Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah Maryam (Mary)
Q1. What is Surah Maryam about?
Surah Maryam is the 19th chapter of the Quran. It narrates the stories of Mary (Maryam), the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus (Isa), the prayers of Prophet Zakariya, and the lives of other prophets, emphasizing Allah’s mercy and power.
Q2. Why is Surah Maryam important?
Surah Maryam is important because it highlights faith, patience, and trust in Allah. It honors Mary, one of the most righteous women, and explains the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus.
Q3. How many verses are in Surah Maryam?
Surah Maryam contains 98 verses and is classified as a Meccan Surah.
Q4. What lessons can we learn from Surah Maryam?
Surah Maryam teaches lessons of reliance on Allah, the power of prayer, humility, patience during trials, and the certainty of resurrection and accountability.
Q5. What does the name Surah Maryam mean?
The name Maryam means Mary, the mother of Prophet Jesus. This Surah is named after her because it tells the story of her devotion, chastity, and the miraculous birth of her son.
Q6. When should Surah Maryam be recited?
Surah Maryam can be recited at any time for blessings, comfort, and guidance. Many people read it for strength in times of hardship, especially to find peace and patience.
Q7. Who are the prophets mentioned in Surah Maryam?
Surah Maryam mentions several prophets including Zakariya, Yahya (John), Musa (Moses), Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Idris (Enoch), and Isa (Jesus).
Q8. What is the main theme of Surah Maryam?
The main theme of Surah Maryam is the mercy and power of Allah, shown through miraculous births, answered prayers, and His guidance to the prophets. 0 0 0
The Light of Surah Maryam
Surah Maryam begins with a prayer so pure,
Zakariya’s heart could hope no more.
Old in age, with no heir near,
Yet Allah gave Yahya, a son sincere.
Surah Maryam teaches the power of prayer,
That Allah responds with mercy and care.
Surah Maryam tells of Mary so bright,
Chosen with honor, shining in light.
Alone she bore the trial so great,
Yet trusted Allah and bowed to fate.
By His command, a miracle came,
Prophet Isa, with a noble name.
Surah Maryam reminds the soul,
That Allah’s decree is in His control.
Surah Maryam speaks of Isa’s word,
A child who spoke, the truth was heard.
He called to worship the Lord alone,
With kindness, mercy, a heart well known.
He was no son in mortal sense,
But a servant blessed with innocence.
Surah Maryam recalls the prophets of old,
Stories of faith, timeless and bold.
Ibrahim stood with trust so true,
Musa with strength, Idris too.
Ismail kept his promise near,
Each one lived with faith sincere.
Surah Maryam warns of worldly pride,
That riches fade, like waves they slide.
But those who bow to Allah’s way,
Will find His mercy on Judgment Day.
It calls the heart to trust, believe,
And never in despair to grieve.
Surah Maryam shines with themes so clear,
Faith and patience draw Allah near.
For every soul that seeks His grace,
Finds hope and light in this sacred space.
So read Surah Maryam, let your spirit rise,
Its verses a lantern, a guide to the skies. 0 0 0
