As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s 17 Verses episode is from Surah 19, Maryam or Mary, verses 16-40. These verses recount the story of Mary and the immaculate birth of Isa or Jesus who became a Prophet of God.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.
O Muhammad, relate to them the story of Mary, in the Book, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.[16] She chose to be secluded from them. We sent to her Our angel and he appeared before her as a grown man.[17] She said: “I seek Allah’s protection against you, leave me alone if you are God-fearing.”[18] He said: “Don’t be afraid, I am merely a messenger from your Lord to tell you about the gift of a righteous son.”[19] She said: “How shall I bear a son, when no man has ever touched me nor am I unchaste?”[20] The angel replied: “So shall it be – Your Lord says: ‘It is easy for Me. We wish to make him a Sign for mankind and a blessing from Us’ – and this matter has already been decreed.”[21] 19:[16-21]
So she conceived the child and she retired with him to a remote place.[22] The pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree. She cried in her anguish: “Ah! Would that I had died before this, and been long forgotten!”[23] An angel from beneath consoled her, saying: “Do not grieve! Your Lord has provided a brook at your feet.[24] If you shake the trunk of this palm-tree, it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you.[25] So eat, drink and refresh yourself. If you see any human being, say: ‘I have vowed a fast for Rahmân (Allah), so I will not speak to any human being today’.”[26] 19:[22-26]
Carrying the baby, she came back to her people. They said: “O Mary! You have brought something hard to believe![27] O sister of Haroon (Aaron)! Your father was not a bad man nor your mother an unchaste woman.”[28] In response, she merely pointed towards the baby. They said: “How can we talk to a babe in the cradle?”[29] 19:[27-29]
Whereupon the baby spoke out: “I am indeed a servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet.[30] He has made me blessed wherever I may be. He has commanded me to establish prayer and give charity as long as I live.[31] He has exhorted me to honor my mother and has not made me arrogant, disobedient.[32] Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I shall die and the Day I shall be raised to life again.”[33] Such was Jesus the son of Mary, and this is the true statement about him concerning which they are in doubt.[34] 19:[30-34]
It is not befitting to the majesty of Allah that He Himself should beget a son! He is far above this; for when He decrees a matter He need only say: “Be” and it is.[35] Jesus declared, Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: therefore, serve Him. This is the Right Way.[36] In spite of this, the sects from among them are divided concerning Jesus. So woe to the disbelievers who say Jesus is the son of Allah – from the meeting of a Great Day (the Day of Judgement).[37] They will be able to see and hear very clearly on that Day when they will appear before Us! But today these wrongdoers, neither want to hear nor see the Truth and, are in manifest error.[38] O Muhammad, forewarn them about the Day of intense regret when this matter will be decided, even though at present they are paying no heed and do not believe.[39] Ultimately, all things will perish and it is We, Who will inherit the earth and all that is on it, and to Us shall they return.[40] 19:[35-40]
Ameen.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.