(Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Three)

Once Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was weaned, her mother, Hannah, wrapped her in blankets and proceeded with her to the masjid. As she had dedicated this child to the worship of Allah Ta‘ala, she made her over to the devout worshippers residing in the masjid. All of them were eager to have the honour of raising her.

Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) was the Nabi of the time, and he also wished to have the privilege of raising Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), especially as she was his niece (his wife was the sister of Hannah). Hence, to decide who would have the honour of raising her, they decided to draw lots.

They all gathered their pens together at a certain place and a young boy was instructed to draw a pen from the lot. When this was done, the pen drawn turned out to be that of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam).

The worshippers asked Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) to draw lots for a second time, and he agreed. On this occasion, they all cast their pens into the river, agreeing that the decision would be in favour of the pen which miraculously flowed against the current. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) which flowed against the current, while all the other pens flowed with the current.

Finally, the worshippers requested Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) to draw lots for a third time. Again they cast their pens into the river, agreeing that the decision would now be in favour of the pen which flowed with the current, while the other pens flowed against the current. Once more, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) which flowed with the current, while the other pens went against the current. In this manner, Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) was chosen as being the most worthy of raising her. Allah Ta‘ala endorsed him and allowed him to raise Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) as he was the Nabi and as his wife was the aunt of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam),

Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) then arranged a special area which was exclusive for Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) where she would remain and engage in worshipping Allah Ta‘ala throughout the day and night. She exerted herself in worship to such an extent that her worship was regarded as proverbial among the Banu Israaeel.

(Surah Aal ‘Imraan v44 and Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2, pg. 65)

Lessons:

1. When Allah Ta‘ala decrees that a person will receive something, he will most definitely receive it. Be it a child, sustenance or anything else, everything is in the control of Allah Ta‘ala. If we secure His help, we will be able to overcome any challenge.

2. In raising Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) ensured that she was in seclusion, as solitude is conducive to worshipping Allah Ta‘ala. Since the objective of solitude is to allow a person to achieve peace of mind and remain focused, we should try to achieve the same result by eliminating all unnecessary distractions from our lives. At present, perhaps the most destructive distractions are social media, novels, etc., all of which are made available through the internet. Hence, our ‘seclusion’ and that of our families can be achieved by disconnecting from the unnecessary usage of the internet so that we may connect with Allah Ta‘ala.