(Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part One)
Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was a woman especially honoured by Allah Ta‘ala in a unique manner – an entire surah of the Quraan Majeed is named after her. She is also the only woman whose name is mentioned, not once, but repeatedly in the Quraan Majeed.
In Surah Aal ‘Imraan (v42), Allah Ta‘ala mentions how He instructed the angels to announce to Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), “O Maryam! Indeed Allah Ta‘ala has selected you, purified you and chosen you above all women.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) similarly attested to the great virtue of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam). He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) is superior in virtue to all the women of my Ummah, just as Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was superior in virtue to all the women of the previous eras.” (Tabraani and Bazzaar – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #15260)
The life of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was unique and has many important and beneficial lessons to teach us. In studying her life, we can identify the outstanding qualities and attributes which Allah Ta‘ala had blessed her with, and for which He and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) praised her in such glowing words. We should therefore strive to inculcate them in our lives so that we too may gain the acceptance of Allah Ta‘ala.