Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imran and known as the Virgin Mary, is the best of all women in the world. Her story is one of devotion, piety, and extraordinary events. When her mother was pregnant with her, she made a vow dedicating her child to worship and serve in the holy mosque in Jerusalem—a role typically reserved for males. Maryam became the only female to fulfill this sacred duty.

Born an orphan, Maryam was cared for by Prophet Zakariyya (Zachariah). Her mother named her Maryam, meaning “worshipper” in their language. True to her name, Maryam’s life was devoted to the worship of God, and she became a waliyyah (a highly pious Muslim) before she turned fourteen. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, and an entire chapter, Surat Maryam, is named after her. In this chapter, the miraculous story of her immaculate conception with Prophet Jesus (‘Isa) is recounted.

The Immaculate Conception of Prophet Jesus (‘Isa)

God created Prophet Adam without a father or a mother, and He created Prophet Jesus without a father. When Angel Gabriel came with the soul of Jesus, he blew it into the opening of Maryam’s cloak by God’s command. The soul entered her body, and by God’s will and power, she became pregnant with Prophet Jesus, even though no man had ever touched her.

Scholars differ on the duration of her pregnancy. Some say it lasted nine months, others say eight, and some suggest it was much shorter. Regardless, her pregnancy was an extraordinary sign from God.

Maryam’s Encounter with Yusuf (Joseph) the Carpenter

When the signs of pregnancy became apparent, Maryam’s cousin, Yusuf (Joseph) the Carpenter, was deeply disturbed. He knew of Maryam’s piety and could not accuse her of wrongdoing, yet the signs were undeniable. To seek clarity, he asked her:

• “Can plants grow without seeds?”
• “Can trees grow without rain?”
• “Can there be a child without a male?”

To each question, Maryam confidently replied, “Yes.” She reminded him of God’s ability to create:

• “Did you not know that God made plants emerge without seeds when He first created them?”
• “Did you not know that God created trees the first time without rain?”
• “Did you not know that God created Adam and Eve without a father or mother?”

Reassured by her response, Yusuf accepted that her pregnancy was an extraordinary event decreed by God.

God eternally willed Prophet Jesus to exist without a father, a sign of His power over everything. Prophet Jesus’ soul, like all human souls, was created by God. Unlike God, who is eternal and has no beginning, all creation—including souls—has a starting point. This distinction emphasizes that God is the Creator of everything and is unlike His creation in every way. As the Qur’an states:

{لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ}

Which means,“He does not beget, nor was He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him.”

The Birth of Prophet Jesus

As the time for delivery approached, Maryam withdrew from her community, knowing the accusations she might face. Despite her life of piety, she feared her people might accuse her of dishonor. Alone and overwhelmed, she leaned against the trunk of a dried palm tree as labor pains began. In her distress, she wished she could disappear entirely.

In this moment of hardship, Allah sent Angel Gabriel as a mercy for her. Gabriel appeared to comfort her and pointed to a stream of fresh water that had extraordinarly appeared beneath her. He also instructed her to shake the palm tree, which came to life and dropped ripe dates for her nourishment. Gabriel reassured her of Allah’s support and guided her on how to face her people:

• She should vow to remain silent for the day, as was permissible in the religious laws of her time. This vow would allow the extraordinary nature of her child’s birth to speak for itself.

With renewed strength, Maryam returned to her people, carrying her newborn son, Prophet Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, Palestine. Her faith and reliance on Allah were rewarded with clear signs of His mercy and support.

Maryam’s Blessings and Legacy

Maryam was blessed with many karamat during her life. Karamat are extraordinary gifts that attest to the truth of a waliyy in following the prophet of the time. One of these was receiving summer fruits in the winter and winter fruits in the summer, a favor mentioned in the Qur’an. She never married and did not live long after Prophet Jesus was raised to the heavens.

Maryam’s story remains an enduring example of faith, piety, and trust in God. She is honored in Islam as the best woman ever created and serves as a model of devotion and righteousness for all.