قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا 18
Translations
She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allāh."
Transliteration
Qālat innī aʿūdhu bi-al-raḥmān minka in kunta taqiyyā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Maryam (Mary) seeks refuge with Allah (the Most Merciful) from the angel Gabriel, asking him to leave if he truly feared Allah. This demonstrates her piety, modesty, and fear of Allah—she did not recognize him as an angel and sought divine protection from a stranger approaching her in solitude. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that her invocation of 'al-Rahman' (the Most Merciful) was a powerful spiritual response, and her condition 'if you are God-fearing' was a test of his true nature, as a pious person would respect her request.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of the Annunciation—when Gabriel came to Maryam to inform her of the birth of ʿIsa (Jesus). The context shows Maryam in her private chamber, devoted to worship, when Gabriel appeared to her in human form. Her response reflects the cultural and religious values of modesty and protection of honor in Islamic tradition.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific moment, Sahih Muslim contains traditions about the virtue of seeking refuge with Allah and the importance of modesty. Additionally, hadith literature emphasizes the honor and purity of Maryam, with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioning her as one of the greatest women of all time.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true piety is demonstrated through respect for boundaries and modesty, and that invoking Allah's mercy and protection in moments of uncertainty is a profound spiritual practice. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity and seeking divine guidance when faced with unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations.