Surah Al-Imran, like a radiant jewel in the treasury of the Holy Quran, encompasses verses that speak of the profound connection between humanity and the Creator and the spiritual transformations across various epochs. Verses 35 to 41 of this Surah narrate the pure vow of the wife of Imran, the divine provision bestowed upon Maryam, and the supplication of Zakariya, all unfolding within a framework of divine proximity and immediate acceptance by God. These verses, like a mirror, depict a period when the elect of God, under the shade of the merciful lights, approached the Divine Presence through prayer and supplication. Yet, in the present era, wherein the shadow of spiritual degradation and the predominance of satanic manifestations have spread across human societies, these verses shine as a beacon in the darkness, inviting us to reflect upon divine proximity and the imperative return to spiritual etiquettes. This treatise, with a profound examination of these verses, elucidates the concepts of vow, prayer, acceptance, and spiritual corruption, and through allegories and references, paves a path towards a deeper understanding of these truths.
In verses 35 to 41 of Surah Al-Imran, the Holy Quran guides us to a time when divine proximity flowed like a revitalising breeze in the lives of Gods chosen ones. At that time, prayer and acceptance were like two wings of flight, uplifting the human soul towards the heavens of divine knowledge. The Prophets and the righteous, with hearts full of sincerity, spoke to their Lord, and divine response descended upon them promptly and directly. This proximity was not merely a sign of Gods boundless grace but also a testimony to the lofty capacity of the elect individuals of that era.
إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ عِمْرَانَ رَبِّ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِى بَطْنِى مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
When the wife of Imran said: "My Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb to be dedicated, so accept it from me; surely You are the Hearer, the Knower."
The vow of the wife of Imran, like a fragrant flower in the garden of faith, signifies the depth of her sincerity and submission to the divine will. The term muarraran (dedicated/freed) indicates that this vow was not born out of necessity or desire but from love and devotion to serve at the Divine Presence. The supplication fa-taqabbal minn resonates as a heartfelt sigh, expressing humility and hope for divine acceptance. This vow, coupled with faith in the All-Hearing and All-Knowing nature of God, exemplifies an exalted form of direct human connection with the Creator.
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّىٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
Then when she bore her, she said: "My Lord, I have borne a female," and God is more aware of what she bore; "and the male is not like the female. And I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge for her and her offspring in You from Satan, the accursed."
The birth of Maryam, who contrary to the wife of Imrans expectation was a daughter, unveils the patriarchal culture of that era. The assumption that the child would be male was challenged by the divine statement and the male is not like the female, which struck like thunder upon human prejudices and revealed the lofty spiritual status and purity of Maryams lineage. This verse inaugurated a revolution in the perception of womens status, demonstrating that before God, human value is not determined by gender but by piety and knowledge. The wife of Imrans seeking refuge from Satan the accursed acts as a strong shield, reflecting her awareness of satanic dangers and commitment to preserving the sanctity of Maryam and her descendants.
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
So her Lord
