The birth of Jesus (pbuh) & The family of Imran (Joachim): Part 3

Through the birth stories of Isa and John ( peace be upon them ) Allah teaches the upcoming generations of muslims that His powers have no limit and He is the Supreme Master of everything.

And (in due time came the moment) when the angels said: “Mary, God has chosen you and made you pure, and exalted you above all the women in the world. (Holy Quran ,Al-‘Imran 42)

The story of Maryam ( peace be upon her ) continues in the surah named after her.

And make mention, in the Book, of Mary. She withdrew from her family to a chamber (in the Temple) facing east (to devote herself to worship and reflection) (Holy Quran ,Maryam 16)

Maryam ( peace be upon her ) left the Temple towards the east of Jerusalem.

Thus, she kept herself in seclusion from people. Then We sent to her Our spirit, and it appeared before her in the form of a perfect man. ( Holy Quran , Maryam17)

Maryam ( peace be upon her ) protects herself from being seen with a hijab ( a physical barrier or piece of clothing ) .

Angel Jibril is reffered to using the word “ ruh “ ( soul ) due to the fact that he is the soul of humankind and delivers what is needed for salvation.

Angel Jibril is a spiritual being that exudes all things good and pure, without being tainted by evil. Angel Jibril has appeared in different forms, depending who the message was being carried to. However, when he appeared to Maryam ( peace be upon her ), he showed himself in the form of a beautiful handsome man.

She said: “I seek refuge in the All-Merciful from you, if you are a pious, God-conscious one. ” ( Holy Quran , Maryam 18 )

When Angel Jibril ( Archangel Gabriel ) came to Maryam ( peace be upon her ), she had an answer worthy of her status which proved once more that she was a woman of modesty and piety. From all the names and attributes of Allah , she chose to present Him as being “ Ar-Rahman” ( the Merciful ). She warned Him to stay away from her , but indirectly told him that Allah is so Merciful He will forgive any bad intention he had.

He replied: “I am only a messenger of your Lord to be a means (for God’s gift) to you of a pure son. ” ( Holy Quran , Maryam 19 )

Angel Jibril was sent to grant Maryam ( peace be upon her ) a baby boy by the will of Allah.

She said: “How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?” ( Holy Quran , Maryam 20 )

Maryam ( peace be upon her ) was shocked to hear such news, knowing that she has done nothing that would potentially result in a pregnancy. Simultaneously, she knew that her honor and modesty will be compromised in the society.

He said: “So (it will be), your Lord said: „That is easy for Me (Allah): and (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).‟ ” ( Holy Quran , Maryam 21 )

Jibril informs Maryam (peace be upon her ) that Allah’s commands are effortless and He wills it and so it happens. Just as Allah granted Zakirya a child, he is capable of doing the same for Maryam ( peace be upon her ).

Isa ibn Maryam ( peace be upon him ) was a miracle who brought miracles to mankind.He was a mercy from Allah and through the teachings revealed to him, the people of his time could have reached salvation.

Maryam ( peace be uon her ) and Zakariya’s ( peace be upon him ) wife , Um Yahya ( John the Baprtist’s mother ) which was also her sister , were expecting the babies at the same time. When Um Yahya was near Maryam ( peace be upon her ), the child in her womb would bow to the child in Maryam’s, bowing to persons being permissible at that time as a form of respect. Um Yahya and her unborn baby also felt most comfortable and at peace when they were around Maryam ( peace be upon her ).

It was a true miracle from Allah to make the two messengers communicate to eacother and create a connection before they were even born.

Isa ( peace be upon him ) would sometimes speak to his mother from her womb if he was not praising Allah.