(Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Six)
Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) realized that her conceiving Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam) 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. Being well aware of her piety and chastity knowing 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 the womb, and when she would be among people, he would engage in reciting tasbeeh.
(Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2, pgs. 73-75)
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, but should turn to Him 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.”