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
يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
He selects for His mercy whom He wills. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.
قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ سَتُغْلَبُونَ وَتُحْشَرُونَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ ۚ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
Say to those who disbelieve, "You will be overcome and gathered together to Hell, and wretched is the resting place."
۞ كُلُّ ٱلطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلًّا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ ۗ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ فَٱتْلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
All food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel [i.e., Jacob] had made unlawful to himself before the Torah was revealed. Say, [O Muḥammad], "So bring the Torah and recite it, if you should be truthful."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ
Those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of the [righteous] workers.