The life of the Prophet Isa alayhe salam has been a topical issue of late in the media as well as in popular culture.  There is a new awareness and heightened curiosity worldwide regarding the amazing life and miracles of Isa alayhe salam.  His personality has impacted the three major religions of this world, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Given the importance of his time on earth, it is critical for mankind to fully understand his pivotal role in shaping history as well as the final days.

The importance of Isa alayhe salam is apparent in the status that is assigned to him in Islam.  He was the last messenger and prophet before the Prophet Muhammad salla allahu alayhe wasalam, as well as the last messenger of Bani Israel.  Allah has bestowed a special favor on the family of Isa alayhe salam by mentioning his name 25 times, and his mother’s 31 times in the Quran.  Isa’s name is mentioned in the Quran even more than the Prophet Muhammad’s name.  Prophet Isa’s mention is noted in ten different situations in the Quran.  There is even an entire chapter (surah) named after Isa’s mother, Maryam alayha salam, as well as his grandparents, Al-Imran alayhum asalam, who were chosen over all of mankind.  This surah, Surat Al-Imran, also reveals the story of Maryam alayha salam.   It outlines a description of her lineage and upbringing.  It also relates the pure conception and birth of Isa alayhe salam.

The fact that Isa’s story is mentioned in the Quran, highlights his importance.  There are incidents mentioned related to him or his mother in one part, and then completed in another.  This adds to the reader’s curiosity concerning his status and keeps one interested in his story, and his revered status in Islam.

At the crux of the Isa story is how he is caught between two groups.  On the one hand, there are the Jews, who in their hatred claim that he is not a messenger and want nothing less than his crucifixion.  On the other hand, there are the Christians, who raised him to a level of extreme glorification, claiming he is the son of God and God’s incarnate.

There were among the children of Israel many pious people, and from them was the family of Imran alayhum asalam, as stated in the Quran.

Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of Imran above the Alaamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times).  Offspring, one of the other, and Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.   3:33-34

Imran alayhe salam was a pious, adherent, worshiping man whose family chain linked back to Dawud alayhe salam.   It was due to the piety of Al-Imran family that Allah saved their generation from mischief and evil.  However, Imran’s wife, Hannah bint Fakood alayha salam, was unable to give birth to children.  One day after having seen a mother bird care for its young by regurgitating food into their mouths, it was then Hannah desired children for herself.  This, however, was not conceivable since she was beyond the child-bearing age, and was not even able to do so during those years.  She prayed to Allah for a child, and He who responds to his servant by “Kun Fayakun”, answered her prayer.  As soon as she felt the child’s movements in her womb, she promised to dedicate the child to the service of Allah, as gratitude to Allah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfiSOJmHTrM

(Remember) when the wife of Imran said, “Oh my Lord! I have vowed to You what (the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your place of worship), so accept this, from me.  Verily,  You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing.   3:35

 

She wanted a male child to give to the maintenance of Beit AlMaqdis, a place of worship in Jerusalem, since that was the tradition of the time.  There were many reasons for having a male in this position.  The main reason was due to the predominately male atmosphere which preferentially required men to be the family delegate in the social setting.  Another reason was when a woman is on her period, she would be unable to attend to the place of worship’s needs, which is a day-to-day responsibility.  Finally, the caretaker of Beit AlMaqdis would have to reside there or in its proximity, potentially compromising the security of a female caretaker.

Finally, Hannah gave birth to a girl:

Then when she delivered her (child Mary), she said:

“Oh my Lord! I have delivered a female child,”-and Allah knew better what she delivered- “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge with you (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast.”   3:36

Despite Hannah’s disappointment, Allah knew ultimately what was best.  He had planned for Maryam alayha asalam to be the first female caretaker of Beit AlMaqdis.

Allah had bestowed upon Maryam alayha salam many blessings.  The Prophet Muhammad salla allahu alayhe wasalam said she is of the best of women.  She is among the four women that are guaranteed heaven.  The others being Khadija, the wife of the Prophet, Asiya, the wife of Fir’aun, and Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad.  Maryam was the only woman whose son is attributed to her, rather than the father.  She was the only woman to have been chosen for the pure birth of a prophet.  She was also honored as being the mother of one of the most important figures in history.

“And I seek refuge with you (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast.”  3:36

In Bukhari, the Prophet said, “There is no newborn except the Shaytan pokes him in his side, thereby coming out crying, except Maryam and her son.”  Abu Huraira then recited,

This hadith is evidence that Hannah’s dua to seek refuge in Allah for her progeny from the devil was answered.  In fact, this dua was answered fully since Maryam alayha salam and Isa alayhe salam did not have the effect of the devil on them.  This would have been true for any offspring that followed.  However, her lineage ended with Isa.

 “So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance.  He made her grow in good manner and put her under the care of Zakariya.”  3:37

“Fataqaballaha” meaning Allah accepted Hannah’s pledge and desire to give Maryam to the service of Beit AlMaqdis.  Allah gave her an outer appearance of peace and tranquility.  Hannah alayha salam then took Maryam alayha salam to reside among the pious, so that she would learn and worship with them.

“This is part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen) which We inspire you with (Oh Muhammad).  You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary; nor were you with them when they disputed. 3:44

A crowd gathered as Hannah alayha salam carried Maryam alayha salam to Beit AlMaqdis.  Hannah addressed them and said she had given an oath to Allah that her offspring would be dedicated to the service of Beit AlMaqdis.  She was unable to enter the masjid due to her menstrual cycle, and refused to take Maryam back home because of the oath she had given.   Hannah needed someone to take care of and watch over Maryam by giving her food, water, and clothing.

Zakariya alayhe salam, who was also a messenger, stepped forward for her care.  He volunteered to take care of Maryam alayha salam, since his wife was Maryam’s aunt (her mother’s sister), or his wife was Maryam’s sister (depending on the conflicting narrations; however, it is probable that he was Maryam’s brother-in-law).

However, others also wanted the honor of caring for Maryam alayha salam.  The dispute continued and the decision was made to draw lots, kur’ah.[1]  There are two different narrations as to how the dispute was settled.  The first narration states that pens that were used for writing the Tawrah were cast into the river.  A young child who had not reached the age of puberty would select a pen and the owner of it would be the one responsible for the care of Maryam alayha salam.  This was done three times, and each time Zakariya’s pen was chosen.  The second narration states that several pens were cast out.  The owner of the pen that went against the current would be responsible for Maryam’s care.  This was done three times, and each time Zakariya’s pen was chosen.

Allah chose Zakariya alayhe salam to be Maryam’s caretaker since he was the best among the people of that time.  He was a messenger of Allah with the most knowledge and fiqh and could convey it to Maryam alayha salam.  In addition, Allah wanted to inspire Zakariya alayhe salam through miracles Maryam alayha salam received.

Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Maryam! From where have you got this?”  She said, “From Allah.”  Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.”3:37

Every time Zakariya, who was the only person to enter upon Maryam, came into the mihrab[2] (chamber), he found with Maryam sustenance that was out of season.

“O Maryam! From where have you got this?”3:37

 She said: “From Allah.”  Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.”3:37

This sustenance was not from a creation, but rather from Allah, the one who provides without limits.  Allah made Zakariya alayhe salam notice that Maryam alayha salam was truly blessed and because of the miracles he witnessed, Zakariya asked Allah for a child in order to further carry on the message of Allah.  Instantly, his dua was answered.

“At that time Zakariya invoked his Lord, saying: “O my Lord!  Grant me from You, a good offspring.  You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.”    3:38

 “Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in al-Mihrab (a praying place) (saying): “Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John) confirming (believing in) the Word from Allah (i.e. creation of Jesus the word from Allah “Be! And he was!), noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous.”   3:39

 

He said: “Oh my Lord!  Make a sign for me.”  Allah said: “Your sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals.  And remember your Lord much (by praising Him again and again), and glorify (Him), in the afternoon and in the morning.”   3:40

In another verse Allah mentions that Zakariya alayhe salam used to praise him.  Though seemingly contradictory, Zakariya alayhe salam refrained from engaging in worldly matters, but continued to utter the praise of Allah.

From this example, Allah shows us his supremacy in his provision whether or not the means are available. This is specifically illustrated in three ways.  The first being where the means are provided and one receives the offspring.  In this case, a male and female are healthy and are able to conceive children.  The second is a situation where the means are available but one is unable to conceive, as was the case with Zakariya alayhe salam.  Finally, a situation where the means are not available and yet one is able to conceive.  Isa and Adam are two examples of the latter situation.   That is why depending entirely on the means is shirk.  Allah teaches Kur’ah was narrated to us as being performed by messengers in three different situations.  The first example was with Prophet Younis, alayse salam. Prophet Younis, along with other people, were on a ship when it started to sink.  The people on the ship stated the reason the ship was sinking was due to someone who had disobeyed his master.  They decided to do kur’ah, draw lots, to see who was the cause of the ship to sink.  They placed all the names into a jar, and Younis’s name was pulled out.  Therefore, they threw him overboard where Allah commanded a whale to swallow him.   The second example was with Zakariya, which is mentioned above.  The third is of Prophet Muhammad, sallahu alayhe wasalam, where if he needed to make a decision as to which wife to take with him on a trip, he would place all the names in a jar.  The name that was chosen would be the wife that would accompany him on his trip.