In the Company of the Quran - an Explanation of Sūrah Maryam

This volume explores the meanings, lessons, and reminders of Sūrah Maryam. Sūrah Maryam is the 19th Sūrah in the Quran. It is a relatively long Makkan Sūrah made up of 98 verses. Some commentators mention that it's the 44th Sūrah to be revealed, after Sūrah al-Fāṭir and before Sūrah ṬāHā. It has been given the name Maryam because Allah ﷻ mentions the story of Maryam (as) and her family and how she miraculously gave birth to ʿIsā (as) at the beginning of the Sūrah. Just like other Makkan revelation, it deals with the most fundamental aspects of our faith. It talks about the existence and oneness of Allah ﷻ, prophethood, and resurrection and recompense. The Sūrah is made up of a series of unique stories filled with guidance and lessons that are meant as reminders.

One of the main themes of this Surah is the infinite, limitless, all-encompassing, and divine mercy of Allah ﷻ. Mercy, or raḥmah, has been mentioned over 16 times in this beautiful and powerful Sūrah. We'll find the words of grace, compassion, and their synonyms frequently mentioned throughout the Sūrah, together with Allah's attributes of beneficence and mercy. We can say that one of the objectives of the Sūrah is to establish and affirm the attribute of mercy for Allah ﷻ. That's why all of the stories mentioned also have to do with Allah's mercy.