|
|
Highlighting the facts of Qur'an, Ch. 3:33-37
|
|
The Woman of Imran: (Hannah /Ana)
| Her situation: |
|
She and her husband were childless |
| Her prayer: |
|
My Lord, bless me with a child as You did in the case of Sarah through whose womb Isaac was born.
|
| Her promise: |
|
If You answer my prayer, I shall in return dedicate the child into Your service. |
| What resulted: |
|
She eventually became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter whom she named Mariam.
|
| Her response: |
|
She was sorrowful that her child was not a son, but she nevertheless thankfully praised her Lord.
|
| The reason: |
|
By Jewish custom, a girl was not acceptable for admission into the service of the Lord. |
| Her alternative: |
|
She did not give up. She reposed her hope in the offspring of Mary. Mary was not the answer but she can be the means to its fulfillment.
|
| Consequently: |
|
She named her daughter Mar-i-am (to marry by I AM) and offered her into the guardianship of God with a stipulated condition.
|
| God's reaction: |
|
He accepted Mary with a 'gracious acceptance'. It implies that God agreed to meet the condition imposed. |
|
|
How God Discharged His Obligation to Mariam
| 1. |
|
He made the Jewish Temple her place of abode. |
| 2. |
|
Zacharriah, the High Priest, was singled out to be Mariam's caretaker. |
| 3. |
|
Mary's sustenance was provided for by Allah. |
| 4. |
|
Her growth was par-excellence (nabahtan-hasanan). |
|
|
|
(a) Her LEGAL guardian was Allah
(b) Her physical caretaker was Zacharriah.
|
|
Important to note:
Hannah handed over Mary to Allah, not to the Temple, nor to Zacharriah. It was Allah, who in the discharge of His obligation placed Mary in the custody of Zacharriah and made the Temple her sanctuary.
QUESTION:
Zacharriah was a Jew, whereas Mary was a Levite. What was God's intention in linking their destiny?
|
|
|
|
|
|
