قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا 21
Translations
He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.'"
Transliteration
Qala kadhaliki qala rabbuki huwa alayya hayyin wa linajalahu ayatan lilnnasi wa rahmatan minna wa kana amran maqdiyyan
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angel Gabriel responds to Mary's astonishment about bearing a child without a father by reassuring her that this miraculous conception is easy for Allah, as He has decreed it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Allah's power transcends natural laws, and this miracle serves as a sign (ayah) for humanity and a mercy from Allah. Al-Qurtubi notes that the phrase 'amran maqdiyyan' (a matter decreed) indicates this was part of Allah's eternal will and predetermined plan, making the birth of Jesus inevitable and divinely ordained.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel, where she expresses concern about how she can have a son without a man. The surah provides the Islamic perspective on the miraculous birth of Jesus ('Isa), emphasizing his humanity and prophethood while affirming the supernatural nature of his conception as a sign from Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in various hadiths about Jesus's birth that he was a spirit from Allah and His word cast unto Mary (Sahih Muslim 2365). Additionally, hadiths affirm that miracles are signs (ayat) from Allah for the believers (Sahih Bukhari 3437).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah's power is unlimited and transcends human comprehension and natural laws; when facing seemingly impossible circumstances, we should place our trust in Allah's wisdom and remember that what appears difficult to us is easy for Him, and that trials and miracles often serve a greater divine purpose for humanity.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأُخْتَ هَـٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا
O sister [i.e., descendant] of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste."
وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّا
And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakāh and was to his Lord pleasing [i.e., accepted by Him].
قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ مَدًّا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوْا۟ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضْعَفُ جُندًا
Say, "Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension [in wealth and time] until, when they see that which they were promised - either punishment [in this world] or the Hour [of resurrection] - they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers."
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And warn them, [O Muḥammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.