Why Do Muslims Revere Mary, The Mother Of Jesus?
Why is Mary (pbuh), the mother of Jesus (pbuh), one of the most notable women revered in Islam and in the Quran?
She is regarded as one of the most pious and virtuous women in history by Muslims and is considered a role model for all believers, both men and women. Islam presents Mary in a revered position, of high esteem and honor, as an exemplary woman of faith.
The Quran dedicates an entire chapter to Mary called Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), highlighting her exceptional character and the miraculous birth of her son Jesus (pbuh).
Muslims believe that Mary was chosen by Allah (God) to be the mother of Jesus through a miraculous birth, without the intervention of a human father. She is seen as a symbol of purity, righteousness, and devotion to God. The Quran portrays Mary as a devout worshipper who dedicated herself to prayer and servitude to Allah.
Overall, Islam views Mary as a revered and virtuous figure who serves as an inspiration for all believers in her exemplary devotion to God.
What Does The Quran State About Mary?
The Quranic verses regarding Mary, (pbuh), highlight her exceptional character and the miraculous birth of her son Jesus. Here are a few key Quranic verses and their interpretations related to Mary:
1 – Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3), Verse 42: “And [mention] when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”
This verse signifies that Mary was chosen and purified by Allah, and she holds a distinguished status among all women. It emphasizes her exceptional piety and righteousness, highlighting her selection for the noble task of giving birth to Jesus.
2 – Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), Verses 16-21: These verses depict Mary’s unwavering faith, humility, and devotion to Allah. They highlight her willingness to accept the divine decree and serve as a reminder for believers to surrender themselves to Allah’s plans.
3 – Surah Al-Ma’idah (Chapter 5), Verse 75: “The Messiah, the son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food (as other mortals do), Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.”
This verse reinforces the Islamic belief that Jesus (the Messiah) and Mary were both human beings and servants of Allah, emphasizing their mortal nature.
It asserts that Jesus was a prophet and messenger, just like the prophets before him, and underlines the distinction between the Creator (Allah) and the created beings.
What is Islam’s view of Jesus?
Muslims love and respect Jesus. Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Quran. Why is this the case? Because he is believed to be one of the highest and honoured Prophets of God.
Similarly, Abraham (Ibrahim) is mentioned 69 times in the Quran, being honored as the father of the monotheistic faith and link to the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Quran affirms that Jesus will be one of those closest to God in the Hereafter, “ Behold! The angel said: ‘O Mary! God gave you glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name shall be Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God” (Qur’an, 3:45)
Jesus was strengthened with the Holy Spirit (Archangel Gabriel), while he performed miracles such as raising the dead, giving sight to the blind with the permission and power of God (Qur’an, 5:110) and was finally ascended into Heaven by Allah (Qur’an 3:55). (Mehmet Ozalp, 101 Questions you asked about Islam).
I’ve read some articles that falsely assert that Muslims copied these ideas from the Bible. When I began studying the Quran myself as a new Muslim many years ago, aside from the innumerable solid proof on the authenticity and evidences of the Quran being of pure divine origin, (available online too), without a doubt, I witnessed firsthand that not a single verse in the Quran to the mind and heart had its composition, richness, and qualities from human sources.
Why do Muslims not accept Jesus as the Son of God?
Jesus (pbuh) was a human being and the son of Mary (Qur’an 2:253). Muslims do not agree with the Christian doctrine of Jesus as the son of God or as God.
In Islam, accepting someone as the ‘son of God’ means God’s divinity is shared/passed onto the son. Yet this violates the most important tenet of monotheism and belief in One True God. God states about Himself in the Quran, “…He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.” (Qur’an, 112:3-4)
Adam was born without father and mother – does this mean he is the son of God /shares the divinity of God? Clearly not.
All the prophets of God performed miracles too, as did Jesus, does this imply their divinity? Again, not the case. (Above section modified from source, Mehmet Ozalp, 101 Questions you asked about Islam, p41).
Proof in the Bible that Jesus is not God
Putting aside the abundant explanations in Islamic literature about why God cannot be considered as having a literal child, let’s have a look at what Jesus himself says in the Bible:
- Jesus prayed to whom? God
- Jesus is a prophet sent by God (Matthew 21:10-11)
- Jesus said, ” Our God is One God” (Mark 12:29 )
- Jesus said he is a man (John 8:40)
- Jesus said he doesn’t know when the Hour will come. Only God Knows. (Mark 13:32)
- Jesus bowed his face down to the ground to God Almighty. (Matthew 26:39)
- Jesus is Servant of God (Matthew 10:24, John 13:16)
- Jesus can do nothing by himself (John 5:19, John 5:30)
Learn more about Jesus and Mary in the Islamic Perspective
To learn more dear friends – please check these academic links that provide proofs related to the Islamic perspective on Jesus and Mary
JESUS:
Jesus on Ethics – Forty Pieces of Advice from the ‘Word of God’
https://www.al-islam.org/jesus-ethics-forty-ahadith
The True Story of Jesus
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei
The Mission of Prophet Jesus
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei/mission-prophet-jesus
Jesus, the Messenger of Allah
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei/jesus-messenger-allah
Crucifixion or Crucifiction?
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei/crucifixion-or-crucifiction
Is Jesus God?! Let Us Reason Together
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei/jesus-god-let-us-reason-together
Jesus as Kalimat Allah, The Word of God
https://www.al-islam.org/jesus-kalimat-allah-word-god-muhammad-legenhausen
Narrations (Ahadith) of Prophet Jesus
https://www.al-islam.org/presence-jesus-christ-mohamed-hossein-shahri/narrations-ahadith-prophet-jesus
Was Jesus Sent To Be Crucified
https://www.al-islam.org/closer-look-christianity-mohamed-qasem/was-jesus-sent-be-crucified
Who Is Jesus?
https://www.al-islam.org/closer-look-christianity-mohamed-qasem/who-jesus
Jesus From The Point Of View Of The Holy Qur’an
https://www.al-islam.org/jesus-point-view-quran-mir-abdulfath-davati
MARY
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, not the Mother of God
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei/mary-mother-jesus-not-mother-god
The Miraculous Virgin Conception
https://www.al-islam.org/ancient-prophets-modern-world-true-story-jesus-p-mansour-leghaei/miraculous-virgin-conception
Quran Commentary: Surah Maryam, Chapter 19
https://www.al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-9/surah-maryam-chapter-19
Mary And Jesus (‘a)
https://www.al-islam.org/ninety-nine-attributes-allah-yasin-t-al-jibouri/mary-and-jesus
CHRISTIANITY – OTHER RELATED LINKS
A Closer Look at Christianity
https://www.al-islam.org/closer-look-christianity-mohamed-qasem
Oneness Of God
https://www.al-islam.org/closer-look-christianity-mohamed-qasem/oneness-god
The Major Differences Between Islam And Christianity
https://www.al-islam.org/ninety-nine-attributes-allah-yasin-t-al-jibouri/mary-and-jesus
Written by Cynthia Aisha Meguid
