Introduction Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) is one of the greatest women in Islam She was taqiyyah (pious) and afeefah (pure) She was a waliyyah (saint) She achieved a high rank in ibadah (worship) and tawakkul (trust) in Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) and was given the maqam (station) of being a siddiqah (endowed with the vision to perceive the Truth). Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) says in the Qur’an, “The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a Messenger. Messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a siddiqah (saintly woman).” (Surah Maa’idah: 75) She was granted the honor of becoming the mother of Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) and the miracle of giving birth to him while being a virgin

Introduction She was born in one of the greatest households on earth – the family of `Imran, who was the descendant of Prophet Sulayman (alayhissalam). Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) says in the Qur’an, “Lo! Allah preferred Adam and Noah and the Family of Abraham and the Family of `Imran above (all His) creatures.” (Surah Aal `Imran: 33) Our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) also descended from this blessed household She is one of the four greatest women in Islam in addition to Sayyidatuna Khadija, Sayyidatuna Fatima and Sayyidatuna Aasiya (wife of the Pharoah) as mentioned in a Hadith (Abu Dawud) “Maryam” is also the name of the nineteenth surah (chapter) in the Qur’an. She is also frequently mentioned in the third chapter - Aal `Imran

The Birth of Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) Sayyidatuna Maryam’s parents were Hanna bint Faqudh and `Imran (alayhimassalam) Her father, `Imran, was a pious Imam at Bayt al-Maqdis (Al-Aqsa) in Jerusalem Her parents were unable to conceive a child for many years On one occasion, Sayyidatuna Maryam’s mother saw a bird feeding it’s child and her heart was moved and she prayed to Allah Almighty to grant her a child and vowed to dedicate the child to the service of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala). “O my Lord! I have vowed to You what is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services, so accept this from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing."(Surah Aal `Imran: 35) Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) finally blessed her with a daughter who would be one of the greatest women in the world and the mother of the one of the five greatest Prophets of Allah, Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam)

Upbringing of Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) She was raised under the care of her uncle, Prophet Zakariyyah (alayhissalam), who built a separate room for her inside the sanctuary and no one was permitted to enter it She grew up to be a pious woman, who was pure and was always in the remembrance of Allah Almighty She would frequently engage in worship of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) during the day and night and was blessed by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) with numerous miracles She would be seen with fruits of the summer in the winter season and fruits of the winter during the summer season As mentioned in the Qur’an, Prophet Zakariyyah asked her, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account."(Surah Aal `Imran: 37)

The Birth of Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) On one occasion, while Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) was engrossed in worship, Archangel Sayyiduna Jibreel (alayhissalam) appeared to her in the form of a man She was taken aback and admonished him from coming near her Sayyiduna Jibreel told her that he had been sent by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) to give her glad tidings that she will give birth to a child who will be one of the greatest Prophets She was told that the birth would occur without the need of a father This illustrates the Power and Majesty of Allah Almighty as we learn from the Qu’ran, But His command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says unto it: “Be!” and it is. (Surah Yasin: 82)

The Birth of Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) completed the regular course of childbearing like other women Her honor and chastity were questioned But nevertheless, Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) persevered and showed sabr (patience)

The Birth of Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) Upon the completion of her pregnancy, Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) went to a secluded region to give birth She started to experience the pain of child birth and went under the shade of a dry palm tree Her pains continued to worsen and she began to cry. She was in a remote land with no sustenance and no one was present to assist her At the time, Sayyiduna Jibreel (alayhissalam) came and told her to shake the palm tree and ripe dates would drop to the ground and provide her with sustenance This illustrates the message in the Qur’an where Allah Almighty comforts believers that ease will undoubtedly follow periods of hardship

The Birth of Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) Finally, Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) gave birth to one of the greatest Prophets of Allah, Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) and she returned back to her people Upon being asked about her new baby, she pointed towards Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) They were surprised and said, "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"(Surah Maryam: 29) Sayyiduna `Isa (alayhissalam) replied in a clear voice, “Verily! I am a servant of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet” (Surah Maryam: 30)

Conclusion This was the life of Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam), who turned away from dunya (world) and engaged in the worship of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) She dedicated herself to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) and He granted her the status of being one of the greatest women of the world The angels told Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam), “O Maryam! Indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you, and has chosen you above all the women of the world.” (Surah Aal `Imran: 42) Many women throughout centuries have tried to emulate the noble virtues of Sayyidatuna Maryam (alayhassalam) and continue to do so in order to draw closer to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta`ala) and achieve the high lofty stations as promised in the Qur’an to the believers