فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَـٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ 37
Translations
So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allāh. Indeed, Allāh provides for whom He wills without account."
Transliteration
Fataqabbalhā rabbuhā biqabūlin hasanin wa-anbatat-hā nabātan hasanan wa-kaffalahā zakariyyā. Kullamā dakhala 'alayhā zakariyyā al-miḥrāba wajada 'indahā rizqan. Qāla yā Maryamu annā laki hādhā. Qālat huwa min 'indi Allāh. Inna Allāha yarzuqu man yashā'u bighayri ḥisāb.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's acceptance of Maryam (Mary) from infancy, her righteous upbringing under the guardianship of Zakariyyā (Zechariah), and the miraculous provision Allah granted her in the sanctuary. When Zakariyyā discovered fruits appearing supernaturally for her despite the locked door of the miḥrāb (prayer niche), Maryam attributed this entirely to Allah's sustenance, demonstrating her profound faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurṭubī emphasize this passage as evidence of divine grace, the elevation of women through piety, and the reality of unseen provisions from Allah that transcend normal means.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Meccan narrative about Maryam's family, revealed in Medina. It follows the account of her mother's vow to dedicate her child to Allah's service and contextualizes the honorable status granted to Maryam as one of the greatest women of all time. The passage illustrates themes of divine providence and answered prayers central to Surah Ali 'Imran's focus on the People of the Book and righteous families.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The best of women are four: Maryam bint 'Imrān, Khadījah bint Khuwaylid, Fāṭimah bint Muḥammad, and Āsiyah wife of Pharaoh' (Sahih Ibn Hibban). Additionally, Aisha reported regarding Maryam's purity and righteousness: 'Four women are superior to all women: Āsiyah, Khadījah, Fāṭimah, and Maryam' (Jāmi' at-Tirmidhī).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere devotion to Allah and complete reliance on His provision leads to extraordinary blessings and divine care, even when circumstances appear impossible—a timeless reminder that those who place their trust wholly in Allah need not fear material deprivation. Additionally, it demonstrates that righteousness and faith are not gendered concepts; women who dedicate themselves to Allah receive His special favor and recognition.