April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
OUR NEIGHBORS' FAITH
Mary, the chosen one: an Islamic perspective
I am honored to write about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I hope and pray that our ecumenical relationship will help not only us here in the Capital District, but humanity at large.
Nothing is Islamic until it is in conformity with its two main sources, the Quran and Sunnah. The Quran is defined as the Word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be with him. It has 114 chapters, known as Soorahs, written and completed during the lifetime of the Prophet. Muslims throughout the world, regardless of culture, color or other demarcations, recite the Quran in its revealed language, Arabic, as an act of worship.
Sunnah, however, is the explanation of the Quran by the Prophet himself, through his words and deeds. The story you are about to read is based on spiritual experiences.
The Quran speaks extensively about the household of Imran, the grandfather of Jesus, may God be pleased with them all. The third chapter of the Quran is known as Aal Imraan, the household of Imran. In brief, it gives a vivid account of the birth of Mary.
With the death of her husband, the pregnant wife of Imran had wished for a boy who could continue the legacy of his deceased father in serving the house of God. "When she gave birth to her child, she said, 'O Lord! I have given birth to a female child...and the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary and I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast" (Quran 3:36).
The Prophet Muhammad explains that "every child born into this world is attacked by Satan except Mary and her son."
This orphan child known as Mary was raised nobly under the supervision of Prophet Zechariah, who had no child of his own at the time Mary was born. When she reached the age of maturity, she received an honorary status of the chosen one.
The Quran confirms: "And remember when the angels said, 'Mary, God has chosen and purified you and chosen you above all women" (3:42). Accordingly, the Prophet Muhammad taught, "The best of all women are Mary, daughter of Imran, and Khadijah, daughter of Khuwailid."
Only three women were blessed to have the privilege of direct communication with the angel Gabriel: the mother of Isaac; the mother of Moses; and Mary, the mother of Jesus. The latter is the most honored among them all.
Most important to Mary was the news that she was to become the mother of one of the greatest men ever created, the Prophet Jesus. Again, the Quran says, "Remember when the angels said, "O Mary, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honored in this world and in the next and one of those who are granted nearness to God. And he shall speak to men in his cradle, and as a grown man, and shall be one of the righteous" (3:45-46).
Mary herself questioned this news of getting pregnant without a man's involvement. This is her argument, documented in the Quran: "She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?' The Lord said: 'Thus it is: God creates what He wills: When He wills a thing, He says to it only: "Be" and it is"'" (3:47).
Chapter 19 of the Quran is also known as the chapter of Mary. It explains Mary's pregnancy and childbirth and the miraculous speech of her infant child, Jesus.
When the baby Jesus was born, Mary carried him to her people, who questioned the legitimacy of the baby. He saved her from the societal castigation by saying, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be and has enjoined on me prayer and almsgiving throughout my life. And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive" (19:30-33)!
In brief, Muslims throughout the world read every day in the Quran about the special status of Mary, and will continue to do so till the end of time. She was born to a religious noble family and was raised nobly. She is one of very few who had the privilege of speaking to the angel Gabriel; and, most importantly, she had a child miraculously without the intervention of a man.
That child, of course is one of the greatest men ever created and one of the five great Prophets of Islam: the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, may God be pleased with him and them all.
May God continue to bless us all.
(Imam Yaki is coordinating chaplain at Washington Correctional Facility in Comstock and imam of the Islamic Center of the Capital District in Schenectady. Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims, is June 29-July 29.)[[In-content Ad]]
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