وَإِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 42
Translations
And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa-idh qālat al-malā'ikatu yā Maryamu inna Allāha astafjāki wa-tahhharaka wa-astafjāki 'alā nisā' al-'ālamīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels announce to Mary that Allah has chosen her, purified her, and elevated her above all women of the worlds. This declaration emphasizes Mary's exceptional spiritual status and her designation as the mother of Jesus (Isa), making her unique among womankind. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this honor came as a result of her unwavering faith, piety, and dedication to worship, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that her purification refers to both spiritual and physical sanctity.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the broader narrative of Surah Ali 'Imran detailing the story of Mary's birth, upbringing, and selection for a divine purpose. It follows the account of her mother's vow to dedicate her child to the service of the Temple. The ayah provides the divine confirmation of Mary's exceptional status before the announcement of Jesus's coming birth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of women is Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, and the best of women [in this ummah] is Khadijah.' (Sahih Bukhari 3769). Additionally, Imam Ahmad recorded that the Prophet stated the best women are: Mary, Khadijah, Fatimah, and Asiyah (wife of Pharaoh).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true honor and elevation come through righteousness, purity of heart, and devotion to Allah rather than through worldly status or lineage. It also demonstrates Islam's profound respect for virtuous women, making Mary a timeless exemplar of faith and excellence for believers of all generations.
Related Ayahs
مَتَـٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
[It is but] a small enjoyment; then their [final] refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
لَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا نُزُلًا مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِّلْأَبْرَارِ
But those who feared their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as accommodation from Allāh. And that which is with Allāh is best for the righteous.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.