{…And We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.} [Quran 21:91]
The life of the Spirit, Word and Messenger of Allah The Almighty, and the last Prophet to the Children of Israel – ‘Eesa (Jesus) – and his mother Maryam (Mary), the daughter of ‘Imraan, may Allah exalt their mention, consisted of a series of trials. It came to be a model of abstinence from this world and longing for what is with Allah The Almighty [in the Hereafter].
As for Maryam, may Allah exalt her mention, she was selected by Allah The Almighty over all women on earth, as He Says (what means): {And [mention] when the angels said, "O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.} [Quran 3:42]
On the same note, the Messenger of Allah, , remarked: "Many among men have attained perfection, but among women, none have, save Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imraan, and Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid."
The Female Infant whose Mother Hoped to Give Birth to a Son
The first trial young Maryam, may Allah exalt her mention, faced, was being born to a woman, who had wishe to be endowed with a son whom she could offer in service of Bayt Al-Maqdis (the Sacred House) [in Jerusalem]. Since Maryam’s mother, the wife of ‘Imraan, knew that a girl could not fulfill said duty like a male child, she was filled with remorse [at her birth] and apologized to the Lord. Allah The Almighty narrates this, Saying (what means): {"My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, "And the male is not like the female. And I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah ]."} [Quran 3:36] Earlier, she had made a vow to Allah The Almighty: {"My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service]} [Quran 3:35]; and, it had to be fulfilled somehow.
So, Allah The Almighty accepted it [of her] and made it an oath that is unsurpassed in the blessings it had. This is so, for its fruits were the greatest woman of the worlds and her son, one of the Messengers of determination, whose birth, life, ascent to heaven and return to earth towards the end of time, and miracles granted to him by Allah The Almighty, were among His greatest signs. What vow, then, could possibly be greater than that?
Maryam, the Orphan in the House of Allah
Maryam, may Allah exalt her mention, was born without a father, so Allah The Almighty sheltered her in the care of her maternal aunt, who was like a mother, and her husband, Zakariyya (Zechariah), may Allah exalt his mention, the Prophet of his people. This was out of His mercy and kindness that He bestowed upon her, may Allah exalt her mention; He Says (what means): {So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zakariyya.} [Quran 3:37]
While growing up, the mosque was the house of Maryam, may Allah exalt her mention, where she lived in seclusion. Out of His compassion, Allah the Almighty decreed that her sustenance be brought to her from the world of the unseen. Every time her aunt's husband entered her room, he found those provisions with her. Since he was her guardian, he would wonder how she could have anything that he himself did not bring. Allah The Almighty narrates, Saying (what means), {He said, "O Maryam, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account."} [Quran 3:37] She did not live in a garden [of Eden here] before actually living in Paradise [in the Hereafter]; rather, this was [like] the nourishment bestowed by Allah The Almighty upon His allies and worshippers, if they are experiencing hardship and difficulty, in order to remind them that He never neglects those who are close to Him.
This was similar to the story of Haajar (Hagar) and her son Ismaa‘eel (Ishmael), may Allah exalt their mention, when He caused the spring of Zamzam to gush forth for them with an endless supply of fresh water, after Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt his mention, had left them in an arid desert.
Khubayb Ibn ‘Adiyy, may Allah be pleased with him, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah, , was also honored likewise, when the disbelievers imprisoned him, with the intent to kill him. Suddenly, they discovered a bunch of grapes with him, when there was not a single grape in all of Makkah, due to it being out of season.
That Allah The Almighty showers from the realm of the unseen, sustenance upon His allies and worshippers in this World, is by virtue of His kindness towards them and a demonstration of His miracles. How many a time did water spring forth from between the fingers of the Seal of Prophets, Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullaah, ?! How many times did His blessings through him increase the food, such as when a five-person meal fed an entire army of 800 men, who ate their fill of meat and Thareed (bread soaked in soup), from a single baby goat and one Saa’ (unit of measurement) of barley that does not normally suffice even five people.
Maryam and the Dreams of a Girl
Maryam, may Allah exalt her mention, who was pledged in service to the House of Allah The Almighty, and who lived in a prayer chamber inside it away from people, did not have the same longings as an ordinary girl. Thus, she did not dream of a desirable husband, a mirror and a box of make-up; rather, her reveries and hopes revolved around obedience to Allah The Almighty and His worship of Him. That is because, [at a very young age], she had received the following command from Allah The Almighty, Who Says (what means): {"O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. O Maryam, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."} [Quran 3:42-43]
Therefore, Maryam, may Allah exalt her mention, grew up a pious girl, secluded in the mosque; she gave life to her night with supplication, worship and prayer; and invigorated her days with fasting and living life for the next.