There is only one woman mentioned by name in the Quran: Maryam or Mariam (peace be upon her). The story of Maryam in the Quran is an example of righteousness and patience. It's also a story of courage and wisdom.
As parents, we always strive to instill these important qualities in our children. Maryam’s journey, from her miraculous birth to the birth of her son, Prophet Isa (Jesus), is a story every Muslim child should know.
Kids love stories; they are exciting, and when they're told right, they are never forgotten, even when they grow up. The Quraan is full of stories of prophets, righteous people, and even historical events as well.
Here in Islamic galaxy, we have started this series of stories to make it easier for you to explain them to your kids simply and easily. Moreover, we explore together the morals behind the stories of the Quran and how to apply these teachings in the everyday lives of your little ones.
Today, we have one of the most famous figures in the Quran. Maryam (the mother of Jesus). Are you curious to know more about her life and how she became the first and only woman with a child with no marriage? How did she face the accusation around her, and how did Allah give her strength on such a miraculous journey? Let's get started!
The Early Life of Maryam
The story of Maryam, known as Mary in Christianity, starts even before her birth. Her mother, known as Hannah (wife of Imran), had prayed earnestly for a child. She promised to dedicate her child to serving Allah!
˹Remember˺ when the wife of ’Imrân said, “My Lord! I dedicate what is in my womb entirely to Your service, so accept it from me. You ˹alone˺ are truly the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” Ali'Imran, 35
When she gave birth to a girl, she named her Maryam, meaning "servant of Allah." Even though traditionally, boys were dedicated to religious service, Allah had a special plan for Maryam.
When she delivered, she said, “My Lord! I have given birth to a girl,”—and Allah fully knew what she had delivered—“and the male is not like the female." I have named her Mary, and I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the accursed.” Ali'Imran, 36
Maryam grew up in a place of worship under the care of Prophet Zakariya (Zechariah). She spent her time in prayer and devotion, learning about Islam and dedicating her life to His worship.
Allah showered her with blessings, and Prophet Zakariya noticed miracles surrounding her. He would often find food and provisions in her room that no one had brought. This was a sign of Maryam’s piety and how Allah favored her and blessed her with rewards.
So her Lord accepted her graciously and blessed her with a pleasant upbringing—entrusting her to the care of Zachariah. Whenever Zachariah visited her in the sanctuary, he found her supplied with provisions. He exclaimed, “O Mary! Where did this come from?” She replied, “It is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wills without limit.” Ali'Imran, 37
When sharing this part of the story with your kids, let them know that spending time worshipping, remembering, and making dua, even from a young age, is one of the greatest things one can do. It also brings many blessings and rewards in life and the hereafter.
On one of those nights when Maryam was worshipping in her place, something extraordinary happened. An event that made the story of Maryam perhaps the single most famous story of all time. Keep reading
The Angel's Visit to Maryam
One day, Jibreel (Gabriel), the angel, appeared to Maryam and told her that she would give birth to a son, Prophet Isa. This was a bewildering surprise because Maryam was not married and had lived a life of modesty and piety. She wondered how this could happen.
She wondered, “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me, nor am I unchaste?” Surah Maryam (19:20)
The angel reassured her that Allah has the power to create life as He wills.
“He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said: That is easy for Me: And We wish to appoint him as a sign unto men and a mercy from Us.’” (19:21)
This was also mentioned in another verse in Surah al Imran in the Quran:
˹Remember˺ when the angels proclaimed, “O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a word from Him; his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest ˹to Allah˺. And he will speak to people in ˹his˺ infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous Ali'Imran, 45-46
Think about it: a young girl who has never been touched and is always known to worship Allah, and suddenly she will be bearing a child! The thought is terrifying, isn't it? It was a test from Allah. However, because of her immense trust in Allah, Maryam accepted this decree.
This is a great opportunity to teach children that Allah is capable of anything and everything. He can create life in miraculous ways. And even though we don't understand the reasons or wisdom behind these things, we should have immense faith in Allah's plans for us because they are always the best. So how did things turn out? Keep reading to find out
Maryam's Experience as a New Mother
When the time came for Maryam to give birth, she went to an isolated place in the desert with no one around. She was completely alone as she experienced labor pains. Yes, Allah SWT chose Maryam for a great role, but this doesn't mean that she didn't struggle.
After all, just like all prophets, she was human. The pain of childbirth was so unbearable that she wished that she had died or had never been born.
At this moment, Mayram called out to Allah for help. Allah, in His mercy, instructed her to shake the palm tree, and dates fell to nourish her. A nearby stream miraculously appeared for her to drink.
“So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.’ But He called her from below her, ‘Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be content. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, ‘Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.” Quran, 19:22 – 26
This part of the story is a perfect example of Allah’s endless mercy, even in difficult times. Tell your kids that Allah is always near, watching over us, especially in our most difficult times.
So what happened after the birth? You may think that she managed to hide her pregnancy and went to the desert. What is she going to do when she turns up to her people with a baby in her arms?
Maryam's Strength in the Face of Accusation
When Maryam came back to her people with baby Isa in her arms, they were shocked. They could not understand how she could have a child without being married.
Then she returned to her people, carrying him. They said, ˹in shock, “O Mary! You have certainly done a horrible thing! O sister of Aaron! 1 Your father was not an indecent man, nor was your mother unchaste.” Surah Maryam (19:27-28)
Instead of responding to their accusations, Maryam remained silent; she never spoke a single word. You may ask why? She is in a difficult situation where she wants to speak, explain, and defend herself in the face of these accusations.
Here's the most interesting part: Allah SWT instructed her to stay silent and not to speak to anyone. You may also wonder why. Why would Allah take her ability to defend herself in such a situation? This is where we need to pause and remember that Allah knows best and has a plan for everything.
This part of the story also shows how Maryam has an ultimate trust in Allah. It also teaches kids that being patient and calm in difficult situations is a great quality we all should strive for. So how did she get out of this difficult situation?
When the people questioned her, she simply pointed to the baby, Isa.
So she pointed to the baby. They exclaimed, “How can we talk to someone who is an infant in the cradle?” Surah Maryam (19:29)
A miraculous event followed: Baby Isa spoke from his cradle. He told the people that he was the prophet of Allah and that his mother, Maryam, was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Have you heard of a baby speaking? This is the first and only time that has ever happened! This miracle that we are all in awe of until today is a reminder of Allah's power.
Maryam's Influence in Islam
Maryam, peace be upon her, holds a unique and honorable place in Islam. She is the only woman whose Surah (a whole chapter) Surah Maryam named after her (chapter 19). It is dedicated to her life, strength, piety, and devotion to Allah. This makes her an extraordinary role model for all Muslims
Moreover, referring to Jesus as the son of Maryam shows how important Mary is in Islam. Additionally, in the Quran, she is declared the best of all women.
And ˹remember˺ when the angels said, “O Mary! Surely Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all women of the world. (Q. 3:42).
Maryam is a symbol of faith, especially for young girls, showing that women in Islam are given great honor and respect. Let's look at the lessons we can learn from her life and miracles.
Lessons from Maryam's Trials for Kids
Children learn better by asking, thinking, and reflecting. They also learn better using stories, fun games, and activities. When sharing Maryam’s story with your children, keep them engaged while listening by asking a few questions that encourage reflection:
- What lesson did you learn from Maryam’s story?
- How did Maryam show her faith in Allah?
- Why is it important to trust Allah, even when things seem difficult?
These questions help children engage with the story and think about the lessons they’ve learned. Don't worry if they don't get the answer right away. This is your turn to make sure they grasp the information that will always be a guide to them
Maryam, peace be upon her, faced many trials throughout her life, yet with every test, she was a great example to all of us, giving more and more lessons. Here are some important lessons that kids can learn from her life:
- Faith in Allah: Throughout her life, and in the darkest of times and hardest ot tests, Maryam trusted in Allah’s plan. This teaches kids the importance of having faith, even when things seem hard or uncertain
- Patience and Perseverance in the Face of Challenges: Maryam endured many challenges with patience. Her story shows children that being patient can lead to great rewards from Allah.
- The Power of Prayer: Maryam spent much of her time in worship; she was devoted to him. For this, Allah answered her prayers in miraculous ways.
Whether it was during her giving birth and feeling immense pain, or when he made baby Jesus speak in her defense. This teaches children the importance of staying connected to Allah through consistent prayer and dua.
You can even make the story of Maryam for kids more engaging by involving children in activities like:
- Storytelling Time: Reenact parts of the story during family time or bedtime.
- Arts and Crafts: Let kids draw scenes from Maryam’s life or create a timeline of key events.
- Quizzes and Games: Create a simple quiz with questions about Maryam’s story to help kids remember the lessons. You can find multiple games and interactive quizzes at Islamic Galaxy to help you make earning more fun!
This will help children develop a stronger connection to it and its values and lessons.
Final Thoughts:
The story of Maryam is not just about the miracles that started right from her birth. It's about the incredible inspiration and lessons we can learn and also teach our children.
It's about trusting in Allah's plan even when things seem impossible and always being patient, even in the darkest times. Allah is always there for us and always waiting to hear our dua so he can reward us and bring us closer to him.
If you want to explore more Islamic stories for kids, visit Islamic Galaxy for more content that makes learning about Islam fun and engaging for children.
