Surah 3. Aal-e-'Imran - The Family of Imran

Zechariah prayed to God, but then wondered, “My Lord! How could I have a son when old age has overtaken me already and my wife is barren?” He said, “So it will be, God does everything according to His Laws.” [The infertility in his wife was cured. 21:90]

Thankful, Zechariah asked, “My Lord! Give a Message unto me.” He said, “The Message unto you is that you shall not speak to people for three days (and nights), except by signs. Remember your Lord much and keep striving in His Cause night and day.” [19:10. Abstaining from speech would save the elderly couple from the embarrassing curiosity of people]

(Mary kept a spotless character as she grew up.) Angels told her, “God has chosen you, given you a spotless character and given you distinction among the women of your times.”

[She guarded her chastity and built a strong moral character in very adverse circumstances. Many monks and devotees of temples used to harbor evil intentions against nuns. She was the first revolutionary feminine voice against the manmade institution of monasticism]

She was told by angels to gather courage, quit monasticism, submit to the Command of her Lord and join her family for leading a normal life bowing to the design that God has ordained for people.

(O Messenger) We are revealing to you these events of history so that you may dispel conjecture and rumor. You were not there when the monks cast lots and contended with one another to take hold of (the young Mary after Zechariah.)

Angels said, “O Mary! God gives you the good news through a word from Him. His name would be Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, held in honor in this world and among the ones close to Me in the Hereafter.

Talking to people while very young and in ripe old age in good health.”

Mary exclaimed! “O My Lord, How shall I have a son when no man has (intimately) touched me?” He said, “Just as God creates everyone according to His Laws (3:40). When God decrees a matter, it starts happening.”

[In the repressive society Mary had to keep her wedding confidential in the family]

“And God will teach him the Scripture and the wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel.”

And He will be a Messenger to the Children of Israel. He will say to them, “I come to you with Revelation from your Lord. If you follow me, I will raise you from dust to the heights of glory by the Command of God (7:176). The blind among you will begin to see the Truth. Those of you who are spotted with sin, I will heal them, and I shall grant real life to those who are just dragging on without purpose; all by God’s Leave, according to His Laws. I am here to establish justice and equity. I shall see to it how much you hoard in your houses and how much you spend on the community. My teachings are sufficient signs for you to believe.”