Names
This surah is called Surat Maryam. [161] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/305; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 16/58. The evidence that includes the following:
It was narrated from ?Abdullah ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Bani Isra?il, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta-Ha and Al-Anbiya? are among the earliest surahs and are among the first surahs that I learned. [162] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4739.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I came to Madinah as a muhajir, and I prayed Fajr behind Siba? [163] Siba? ibn ?Urfutah, the Companion. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) appointed him in charge of Madinah when he went out to Khaybar and to Dumat Al-Jandal. See: Ibn ?Abd Al-Barr: Al-Isti?ab fi Ma?rifat Al-As-hab, 2/682; Ibn Al-Athir: Asad Al-Ghabah, 2/171. and in the first rak?ah he recited Surat Maryam, and in the second he recited Woe to those who give short measure Al-Mutaffifin 83. [164] Narrated by Ahmad, 8552; Al-Bazzar, 8140; Ibn Hibban, 7156; Al-Bayhaqi, 4191.
Virtues and characteristics
It is one of the earliest surahs to be revealed and was one of the first to be memorized and learned by the Companions, as was mentioned in the report of ?Abdullah ibn Mas?ud (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted above.
It was narrated that Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), said: When we came to the land of Ethiopia, we stayed there under the protection of the best of protectors, the Negus, and we felt safe to practise our religion and we worshipped Allah without being bothered or hearing anything we disliked? In this report, it says that Quraysh sent ?Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi?ah ibn Al-Mughirah Al-Makhzumi and ?Amr ibn Al-?As ibn Wa?il As-Sahmi to the Negus to ask him to hand over to them those of the Companions of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) who had migrated to Ethiopia. Then the Negus sent for the Companions of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and Ja?far spoke to him; he told him what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) called them to and how they had been before he was sent to them and they believed in him. The Negus said to him: Do you know anything of what he has brought from Allah? Ja?far said: Yes. The Negus said: Recite it to me. So he recited to him the beginning of Soorat Maryam. Umm Salamah said: By Allah, the Negus wept until his beard became wet and his bishops also wept until their scriptures became wet when they heard what he recited to them. Then the Negus said: By Allah, this and what Musa brought came from the same source of light.? [165] Narrated by Ahmad, 1740; Abu Nu?aym: Hilyat Al-Awliya?, 1/115; Al-Bayhaqi: Shu?ab Al-Iman, 82.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Maryam is Makki, and it was narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [166] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Al-Qurtubi and Al-Fayruzabadi. See: Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 11/72; Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/305.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Showing the path of being a true slave of Allah (?ubudiyyah); highlighting the importance of understanding Allah?s Lordship and that He is in control of the universe; affirming belief in the resurrection. [167] See: Tafsir Ar-Razi, 21/541; Ibn Taymiyah: Majmu? Al-Fatawa, 15/230.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Maryam include:
The story of Zakariyya (peace be upon him).
The story of Maryam and the birth of ?Isa (peace be upon him).
Part of the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with his father.
Reference to a number of the prophets, including: Musa, Harun, Isma?il and Idris (peace be upon them).
The reward of the pious and the punishment of the disbelievers; the door of repentance is open to the sinners.
Some specious arguments of the polytheists having to do with the Qur?an, the resurrection and the oneness of Allah, with refutation thereof; establishing proof of the oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and stating that He has no partner or child; establishing proof that the resurrection is true.
Highlighting some of the events of the Day of Resurrection.
The surah ends as it started, stating how much Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, loves and honours His close friends; and the wisdom behind the sending down of the Qur?an, which is to bring glad tidings and warning.