Mary in Islam, known as Maryam bint Imran, is a highly revered figure in the Islamic tradition. Identified in the Quran as the most righteous woman to have lived, she is the only woman mentioned by name in the holy text. Her narrative appears across several Meccan and Medinan surahs, including the nineteenth surah, which bears her name. According to Islamic belief, she was chosen by God to be the mother of the prophet Isa, having miraculously conceived through the intervention of the divine spirit while remaining a virgin.
Life and birth
Maryam was born to parents who had prayed for a child, with her mother vowing to dedicate the offspring to God's service. Following her birth, she was raised by her uncle Zechariah. The Quranic account describes how the archangel Gabriel delivered divine messages to her, announcing that she would bear a son named Isa. Traditional Islamic views maintain her perpetual virginity, noting her purification from the touch of men.
Veneration
In Islamic tradition, Maryam holds a singularly exalted status and is considered one of the four greatest women in heaven. She is ranked alongside Fatima, Asiya, and Khadija. Her story is a central part of the Quranic message, serving as a testament to her piety and the miraculous nature of her role in the divine plan.