يَـٰمَرْيَمُ ٱقْنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسْجُدِى وَٱرْكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ 43
Translations
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."
Transliteration
Ya Maryamu iqnutee li Rabbiki wasjudee warkuee ma'a ar-rakieen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah contains the angels' command to Mary (Maryam) to devote herself entirely to the worship of Allah through prayer, prostration, and bowing alongside those who worship. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction emphasizes Mary's role as a devoted servant of Allah, establishing her as a model of spiritual commitment and obedience. The command to worship 'with those who bow' (ma'a ar-rakieen) indicates her participation in congregational prayer and communal worship, highlighting the importance of collective devotion in Islamic practice.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Mary's upbringing in the sanctuary (mihrab) as mentioned in verses 3:37-44. The angels are instructing Mary during her time of worship and seclusion in the temple, guiding her toward continuous devotion and spiritual excellence. This context is part of the broader Quranic account of Mary's exceptional piety and her preparation for her role as the mother of Jesus ('Isa).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the best of deeds: 'The most beloved deeds to Allah are the continuous ones, even if they are few' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet said Mary was 'the best of women' (Sunan Ibn Majah), reflecting the Quranic emphasis on her devoutness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true spiritual growth requires consistent, dedicated worship and active participation in community prayer, not merely private devotion. Mary's example demonstrates that excellence in faith is achieved through continuous submission to Allah's guidance and maintaining steadfast commitment to worship alongside the believing community.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱصْبِرُوا۟ وَصَابِرُوا۟ وَرَابِطُوا۟ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allāh that you may be successful.
مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيَهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحُكْمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا۟ عِبَادًا لِّى مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِن كُونُوا۟ رَبَّـٰنِيِّـۧنَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ
It is not for a human [prophet] that Allāh should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, "Be servants to me rather than Allāh," but [instead, he would say], "Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied."
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
So how will it be when We assemble them for a Day about which there is no doubt? And each soul will be compensated [in full for] what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ
O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will [then] become losers.