The story of Mary, peace be upon her | Episode (6) | She said: It is from God

0:00 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

0:04 The story of Maryam, daughter of ‘Imran.

0:07 Peace be upon her.

0:10 “And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

0:15 Among the issues that occupy a woman’s heart

0:21 is the matter of provision (rizq).

0:23 Especially in this day and age,

0:26 even though Allah, may He be exalted, has clarified it in His Book quite clearly, saying:

0:33 “And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah. He knoweth its habitation and its repository. All is in a clear Record.” (11:6)

0:52 Yet, a woman’s reliance (tawakkul) upon Allah may sometimes weaken,

0:57 and she may be overcome by fears of poverty and destitution.

1:01 Therefore, many verses were revealed to reassure the woman’s heart

1:06 that provision comes from Allah,

1:08 and that Allah is her Provider,

1:11 and that Allah provides for whom He wills without account.

1:15 In the story of Maryam is a lesson for every young woman:

1:19 that her obedience to Allah does not hinder her provision;

1:23 rather, it increases it.

1:25 For Allah provides for whom He wills without account.

1:29 Allah the Almighty said:

1:31 “And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

1:35 "He found with her provision."

1:39 He said, "O Maryam, from where is this [coming] to you?"

1:43 “And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

1:47 “And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

1:57 Zakariyya was amazed to find food with Maryam,

2:01 even though he had not brought it to her.

2:04 So he asked her about it,

2:05 and she replied, "It is from Allah."

2:08 “And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (3:37)

2:12 Many an exegete has busied himself

2:15 with determining the type of food with which Allah honored her,

2:19 whereas the lesson to be drawn from this event

2:22 and this situation

2:23 is not found in many books of Tafsir,

2:27 except for those whom Allah has granted success in that.

2:31 For many exegetes have inclined toward the view that this food was supernatural,

2:36 such that summer food would come to her in winter,

2:40 and winter food in summer.

2:43 While some exegetes have mentioned this,

2:46 a divine favor (karamah) does not necessarily require a violation of the natural order regarding food;

2:52 rather, the favor is that food suitable for her arrived

2:56 without her having to fetch it herself,

2:59 or anyone else bringing it to her.

3:01 That is why Zakariyya was amazed at the presence of provision with her

3:05 every time he entered upon her,

3:07 while she was sitting in her place, not leaving,

3:11 and no one else entering upon her.

3:14 Ibn ‘Atiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

3:16 Regarding the saying of Allah the Almighty,

3:18 "He found with her provision,"

3:21 it means food she would nourish herself with, the likes of which were unknown,

3:25 and it was not known how it was brought to her.

3:28 Muhammad Rashid Rida, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

3:31 "You see that there is no evidence in the verse

3:34 that the provision was a supernatural occurrence.

3:38 The believers’ attribution of matters to Allah

3:41 in this context is a well-known practice, both in ancient and modern times."

3:45 The Master Imam said, providing an example of this at length:

3:49 "The Qur’an was revealed in a clear manner, easy for everyone to understand

3:54 without the need for hardship or going to great lengths to defend

3:58 something contrary to the apparent meaning.

4:01 We must not deviate from its path,

4:04 nor add to it Israelite tales

4:07 or non-Israelite ones

4:09 to make this story a supernatural event.

4:13 Searching for what that provision was and where it came from

4:17 is idle curiosity that is not needed

4:19 for understanding the meaning or for further reflection.

4:23 Had Allah known that there was good for us in explaining it, He would have explained it."

4:28 Maryam, peace be upon her, established in her response

4:32 to the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya, three things:

4:36 First, that provision is from Allah.

4:40 Second, that Allah provides for whom He wills without account.

4:45 Third, that food is called provision.

4:50 In this is a lesson for every unmarried young woman,

4:54 for every married woman,

4:57 and for every divorced woman,

4:59 and for all Muslim women in general.

5:02 As for the young woman who has not married,

5:05 let her know that marriage is a provision from Allah

5:09 sought through legitimate means,

5:11 among which is supplication (du‘a’).

5:13 So the young woman should ask Allah for a righteous spouse

5:17 and persist in her supplication,

5:19 for Allah, glory be to Him, is the Provider.

5:22 The young woman must be certain that disobedience does not bring provision,

5:27 and that obedience does not hinder it.

5:30 Whoever thinks that her commitment to proper Islamic dress,

5:33 as Allah commanded in His Book,

5:35 and as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, clarified in his Sunnah,

5:40 will prevent her from marriage,

5:42 has thought ill of Allah.

5:45 Likewise, the mother who thinks that covering her daughter

5:49 will deprive her of marriage

5:51 has thought ill of Allah.

5:54 Did provision not come to Maryam

5:56 while she was in her sanctuary,

5:58 as a favor to her for her obedience and worship?

6:02 Your commitment to what Allah has commanded

6:04 regarding modesty, shyness, and chastity

6:07 will not deprive you of marriage,

6:09 nor will it delay it for you.

6:11 As for the married woman,

6:14 she may be afflicted with the mentality of the people of the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah),

6:17 which is refraining from having children on the pretext of scarce provision.

6:22 Allah has forbidden this act

6:24 and promised the couple provision, saying:

6:28 “Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord hath made a sacred duty for you: That ye ascribe no thing as partner unto Him and that ye do good to parents, and that ye slay not your children because of penury - We provide for you and for them - and that ye draw not nigh to lewd things whether open or concealed. And that ye slay not the life which Allah hath made sacred, save in the course of justice. This He hath command you, in order that ye may discern.” (6:151)

6:31 "We provide for you and for them."

6:34 And the Almighty said:

6:36 “Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin.” (17:31)

6:40 "We provide for them and for you."

6:43 “Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin.” (17:31)

6:47 In the case of poverty,

6:49 He placed the provision of the parents before the provision of the child.

6:52 In the case of fear of poverty,

6:55 He placed the provision of the child before the provision of the parents.

6:59 As for the woman who has disagreements with her husband

7:03 and feels that he might divorce her

7:05 because of his dislike for her or otherwise,

7:08 Allah, may He be exalted, has reassured her with provision

7:11 even if divorce occurs.

7:13 He, glory be to Him and Exalted, said:

7:16 "But if they separate [by divorce], Allah will enrich each [of them] from His abundance."

7:21 “But if they separate, Allah will compensate each out of His abundance. Allah is ever All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (4:130)

7:25 Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

7:27 "Allah the Almighty informs us that if they separate,

7:32 Allah will enrich him from her and enrich her from him,

7:35 by Allah compensating him with someone better for him than her,

7:39 and compensating her with someone better for her than him."

7:43 “But if they separate, Allah will compensate each out of His abundance. Allah is ever All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (4:130)

7:46 Meaning: He is vast in bounty, great in favor,

7:49 wise in all His actions, decrees, and laws.

7:54 Thus, provision in this verse

7:56 is broader than just wealth;

7:59 it may be a marriage through which she is provided

8:02 with a new marital life,

8:05 new happiness,

8:07 and wealth and offspring.

8:09 Divorce does not mean poverty,

8:11 nor does poverty necessarily follow from it.

8:14 Allah the Almighty said:

8:16 "And when they have fulfilled their term,

8:19 either retain them according to acceptable terms

8:22 or part with them according to acceptable terms.

8:30 And bring to witness two just men from among you

8:35 and establish the testimony for Allah.

8:38 That is instructed to whoever should believe in Allah

8:41 “Then, when they have reached their term, take them back in kindness or part from them in kindness, and call to witness two just men among you, and keep your testimony upright for Allah. Whoso believeth in Allah and the Last Day is exhorted to act thus. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him,” (65:2)

8:44 and the Last Day.

8:46 And whoever fears Allah,

8:49 He will make for him a way out."

8:52 “And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.” (65:3)

8:56 "And whoever relies upon Allah,

8:59 then He is sufficient for him."

9:01 "And whoever relies upon Allah,

9:04 then He is sufficient for him."

9:06 “And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.” (65:3)

9:10 “And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.” (65:3)

9:17 Muhammad Rashid Rida, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

9:20 "The God-fearing person is always in a better state,

9:24 more capable of endurance, and more deserving

9:26 of Allah the Almighty’s care for him.

9:29 Poverty does not pain him as it pains the wicked,

9:32 for through piety he finds a way out of every distress,

9:36 and he finds from Allah’s care provision from where he does not expect."

9:41 A young woman might reject a righteous man because of his poverty,

9:45 so Allah responded to her by saying:

9:48 "And marry the unmarried among you..."

9:53 “And marry such of you as are solitary and the pious of your slaves and maid-servants. If they be poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty. Allah is of ample means, Aware.” (24:32)

9:59 “And marry such of you as are solitary and the pious of your slaves and maid-servants. If they be poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty. Allah is of ample means, Aware.” (24:32)

10:07 "And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing."

10:11 Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

10:14 ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talhah reported from Ibn ‘Abbas:

10:18 "Allah encouraged them to marry,

10:20 and commanded both the free and the enslaved to do so,

10:23 and promised them wealth for it."

10:25 So Allah the Almighty said:

10:27 “And marry such of you as are solitary and the pious of your slaves and maid-servants. If they be poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty. Allah is of ample means, Aware.” (24:32)

10:32 Ibn Abi Hatim said:

10:34 My father narrated to us,

10:36 Mahmud Ibn Khalid al-Azraq narrated to us,

10:39 ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abd al-Wahid narrated to us from Sa‘id,

10:43 meaning Ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz,

10:45 who said:

10:46 "It has reached me that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

10:51 'Obey Allah in what He has commanded you regarding marriage,

10:55 and He will fulfill what He has promised you of wealth.'"

10:59 Allah the Almighty said:

11:00 “And marry such of you as are solitary and the pious of your slaves and maid-servants. If they be poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty. Allah is of ample means, Aware.” (24:32)

11:05 And from Ibn Mas‘ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

11:09 "Seek wealth through marriage."

11:12 Among the effects of the response of Maryam, peace be upon her,

11:16 to the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya, peace and blessings be upon him,

11:20 was that Zakariyya hastened to ask Allah for offspring,

11:24 for they are a provision.

11:25 So he said:

11:27 "There, Zakariyya called upon his Lord."

11:31 “Then Zachariah prayed unto his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow upon me of Thy bounty goodly offspring. Lo! Thou art the Hearer of Prayer.” (3:38)

11:37 "Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."

11:43 So his Lord, glory be to Him and Exalted, answered him,

11:47 and sent the angels to give him glad tidings of a child.

11:51 He said:

11:53 "So the angels called him,

11:57 while he was standing in prayer in the sanctuary,

12:07 that Allah gives you glad tidings

12:13 of Yahya, confirming [a word] from Allah,

12:16 “And the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: Allah giveth thee glad tidings of (a son whose name is) John, (who cometh) to confirm a word from Allah lordly, chaste, a prophet of the righteous.” (3:39)

12:19 and [who will be] honorable and chaste,

12:22 and honorable and chaste,

12:25 and a prophet among the righteous."

12:29 Indeed, Maryam’s response to the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya,

12:33 with this answer

12:34 is evidence of her righteousness and her certainty in Allah, may He be exalted.

12:39 Thus, the Muslim young woman should be raised

12:42 upon faith and trust in Allah’s promise.

12:46 And the haste of the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya,

12:49 to supplicate and ask Allah for a child—

12:52 It is a provision.

12:53 After he heard Maryam’s reply,

12:56 it serves as proof that the righteous hasten

12:59 to perform good deeds when they are reminded of them.

13:02 My hope for every young woman today,

13:06 and for every woman, whether married or unmarried,

13:10 is that she attains certainty that Allah is the Provider,

13:14 and thus seeks provision from Him alone,

13:16 just as the Almighty said:

13:18 “Ye serve instead of Allah only idols, and ye only invent a lie. Lo! those whom ye serve instead of Allah own no provision for you. So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him, (for) unto Him ye will be brought back.” (29:17)

13:20 "Worship Him and be grateful to Him;

13:22 to Him you shall return."

13:25 Provision does not necessarily have to be monetary wealth;

13:29 rather, it may be food, offspring, or a spouse,

13:34 or contentment within the soul,

13:36 or happiness and psychological peace,

13:39 or physical health and well-being from Allah,

13:42 or anything else besides these.

13:45 The final point that Maryam established

13:48 in her response to the Prophet of Allah, Zakariyya,

13:51 is that Allah provides for whom He wills without measure.

13:55 Abu Zahra, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

13:58 "This means that Allah’s provision is vast, not limited by any boundary,

14:03 nor measured by any specific amount."

14:05 Therefore, it is not restricted by calculation,

14:08 nor is it subject to numbers that come to an end.

14:12 We ask Allah for His immense bounty,

14:15 that He may grant us Paradise without account.

14:19 We shall continue in a future meeting, if Allah wills.

14:22 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

The story of Mary, peace be upon her | Episode (6) | She said: It is from God

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