Surah Mariam, History of Chapter; Jesus Son Of Mary And John: Part 06 Page 03

History of Surah Mariam - Chapter 19

History of the Chapter:

In as much as the Chapter is entitled " MARIAM ", significantly, it opens with:

"(This is) a recital of the 'MERCY' of

thy Lord shown to His servant 'ZACHARIAH.' "

Commentary. # 2455 by Yusuf Ali:

This is the only Surah which begins with these five abbreviated letters: K.,H.,Y.,A.,S.(Kaaf Haa Yaa 'Ayn S.aad)

The suggestion of Tafsir Kabir is that the letters stand for attributes of God; K, for Kafi (the One sufficient in Himself); H, for Hadi (He who guides); Y, for Yad (Hand as a symbol of Power and Authority); A, for Alim (the All-Knowing ); and S, for Sadiq (the True One).

Preface by Muhammad Ali:

'It is quite certain that the most important portion of this chapter, viz, that relating to the history of Mary and Jesus, was revealed early at Mecca, most probably about the fifth year of the Prophet's mission, because this portion was recited by Jafar, head of the first batch of Muslim immigrants in Ethiopia, before the Christian King of that country, when a deputation of the Quraish urged the King to expel the Muslim refugees from his country (Ah. Vol.1, p. 203). The immigration took place in the fifth year, and this chapter, therefore, must have been revealed before.'

His Com.# 728 to 5: 83

'This refers to the Christians who believed. An important personage

belonging to this class was the Negus of Abyssinia, in whose dominions

the Muslims found shelter in the early days of the Prophet's mission,

when compelled to flee from Mecca on account of the severe persecutions

of the Quraish. Even there they were followed by a deputation of the

persecutors, who, in order excite the religious hatred of the Christian

monarch against the homeless Muslims, represented to the Negus that

the fugitives not only denounced the idols of the Arabs but also spoke

disparagingly of Jesus Christ. Whereupon, the Muslims being called

upon to answer the charge, their leader read out the portion of the

chapter "MARIAM" dealing with Jesus Christ, and the words so

impressed the Negus that he wept, and said that Jesus Christ was not a

whit more than the Qur'an described him to be. That he subsequently

became a true convert to Islam is clearly shown by the funeral service

having been held for him by the Holy Prophet when the news of his

death reached Medina (Bukhari. 23: 4 Alim 5:217).'

Verse 5: 83:

"And when they hear that which has been revealed to the Messenger

thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of the truth they

recognize. They say: 'Our Lord, we believe, so write us down with

the witnesses'."