Surah Maryam (Mary)

Named "Maryam" after Mary, the mother of Jesus (Isa), the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and the only surah named after a woman.

Surah Maryam is the 19th chapter of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 98 ayahs. It is traditionally held to have been revealed during the Meccan period, before the emigration to Medina, and is associated with the era when a group of early Muslims migrated to Abyssinia; tradition relates that its passages concerning Jesus and Mary were recited before the Christian Negus. The surah opens with the disconnected letters Kaf-Ha-Ya-Ain-Sad. Its central subject matter is a sequence of narratives about prophets and righteous figures, framed around themes of divine mercy and God's power to grant life. It recounts the story of Zechariah (Zakariyya) and the granting of a son, John (Yahya); the account of Mary and the birth of Jesus; and passages on Abraham, Moses, Ishmael, Idris and other prophets. The later portion addresses claims about God taking a son, affirms strict monotheism, and warns of the Day of Judgment while contrasting the fate of the righteous and the rejecters.

Surah number: 19
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 98
Arabic: مريم

Read Surah Maryam online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Divine mercy (the name Ar-Rahman recurs prominently throughout)
The story of Zechariah and the birth of John (Yahya)
Mary and the miraculous birth of Jesus (Isa)
Strict monotheism and rejection of the claim that God has a son
A shared lineage of prophets: Abraham, Moses, Ishmael, Idris
The Day of Judgment and the contrasting ends of the righteous and the rejecters

Why this surah matters

Surah Maryam holds a distinctive place as the only surah named after a woman, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is traditionally connected to the early migration to Abyssinia, where its verses on Jesus and Mary are said to have moved the Christian Negus, and it is often noted for building bridges of understanding around shared prophetic figures. Many Muslims regard it as a deeply moving chapter for its themes of divine mercy and answered prayer, and it is frequently recited for its spiritual and emotional resonance. Its emphasis on God's mercy and the sincerity of the prophets has long made it beloved in Islamic tradition.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Surah Maryam significant among the surahs?

It is the only chapter of the Quran named after a woman, Mary (Maryam), the mother of Jesus, and it devotes extended passages to her story alongside those of other prophets. It is also traditionally linked to the early Muslim migration to Abyssinia.

Is Surah Maryam Meccan or Medinan, and how long is it?

It is a Meccan surah, revealed before the emigration to Medina, and consists of 98 ayahs. It is the 19th chapter in the order of the Quran.

What is the main subject of Surah Maryam?

It centers on divine mercy through a series of prophetic narratives, most notably Zechariah and the birth of John, and Mary and the birth of Jesus, followed by an affirmation of pure monotheism and reminders of the Day of Judgment.

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