of Nokounam, (Session 857)
The Surah Al-Imran, one of the intellectual treasures of the Holy Qur'an, in its forty-second verse, presents an unprecedented depiction of the dialogue between the angels and Lady Mary (peace be upon her). This verse not only reveals the spiritual grandeur of Mary as the chosen one of God but also opens a gateway towards understanding the status of women in the system of creation and religious knowledge. The angels conversation with Mary is a sign of divine proximity and spiritual perfection that occurs within a specific temporal context, accessible to select humans. This treatise, through reflection upon this verse and its related themes, examines concepts such as istif (divine selection), tahr (purification), qunt (devout submission), sujd (prostration), and the status of women in the Qur'anic framework. Additionally, it critically analyses the spiritual decline of the contemporary era and the historical injustice against women, proposing solutions to return to authentic spirituality. The goal is to present profound Qur'anic concepts with clear and dignified language that, like a mirror, reflects truth before the eyes of the reader.
The forty-second verse of Surah Al-Imran unveils a unique dialogue between the angels and Lady Mary (peace be upon her). This conversation is not merely an indication of Marys exalted status but also a testimony to the possibility of human interaction with metaphysical beings under special conditions within a particular temporal context. The Holy Qur'an states in this verse:
And [mention] when the angels said, O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. (Al-Imran 3:42)
This verse, with the direct address O Mary, reports an intimate and close conversation in which the angels speak not individually but collectively to Mary. This collective presence of angels magnifies the greatness and significance of this encounter, as though a battalion of luminous beings, arranged in a divine order, has gathered to convey God's message to Mary. The conversation is mutual; Mary not only hears the angels words but also sees and dialogues with them. Such an interaction is a sign of spiritual perfection and divine proximity granted only to the elect.
This encounter took place in an era when humans had close relations with the unseen world. However, in the modern age, such connections are seldom found, as if this blessing has been concealed like a rare gem amid humanitys widespread heedlessness.
The verse refers to Marys selection and purification through the two key terms istifk and tahrak. Istif is the divine choice elevating Mary to a high station within the system of creation. This selection is sometimes regarded as exceeding prophecy, such that some religious scholars envision a status akin to the divine household for Mary and figures such as Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her). Tahr refers to Marys purification from all defects and the grant of infallibility. Contrary to erroneous beliefs that natural feminine conditions are imperfections, purification in this verse signifies spiritual purity and divine infallibility, not the removal of natural feminine traits, which themselves manifest the beauty of creation.
Marys istif operates on two levels: intrinsic and relative. Intrinsic selection points to Marys essential sanctity as a holy personality, whereas relative selection designates her superiority over the women of her own and prior eras. This superiority is confined to Marys temporal context and does not encompass figures such as Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), which itself indicates the dynamism of the divine value system.
A subtle nuance in this verse is the presence of the angels en masse before Marys solitude. The plural form al-malikah is used, indicating an orderly, adorned battalion of angels. This collectivity, contrasted with Marys solitude, accentuates her spiritual grandeur. It is as if Mary, like a radiant star in the firmament of knowledge, single-handedly hosts a multitude of divine angels. This scene offers an unprecedented portrayal of Marys nearness and honour before God.
The dialogue between the angels and Mary signifies the zenith of spiritual perfection and divine proximity. This encounter, enabled within a specific temporal context and unique aptitudes, testifies to Marys selection and purification. Istif and tahr are the two wings of Marys ascent to sacred ranks, rendering her not only a unique figure of her time but also an unparalleled personality in human history. This section invites reflection upon human spiritual grandeur and the possibility of communion with the unseen realm.
The Qur'an continues by inviting Mary to qunt: O Mary, be devoutly submissive to your Lord. Qunt is a prostration performed while standing, in which one, with intimate and heartfelt words, communes with the Lord. Unlike ruk (bowing), which is accompanied by general utterances, qunt is a platform for personal expression and direct dialogue with God. This invitation indicates the depth of Marys worship and her exalted station before her Lord.
O Mary, be devoutly submissive to your Lord. (Al-Imran 3:42)
Qunt, as a prostration during standing, is superior to ruk, because in it the heart and tongue engage in a frank conversation with God, not merely general remembrance. This superiority is a sign of spiritual depth and sincerity in worship that makes Mary a perfect exemplar of devotion.
