Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

(this Qur’an and Muhammad SAWS) and said: “I shall certainly be given wealth
and children [if I will be alive (again)].” (TMQ, 19:77). On the one hand, a child
might be a blessing, a good remembrance, and a Sadaqa (regular charity) for the
parents. On the other hand, he or she might be a reason for the parents’ disbelief and
disobedience. The Surah emphasizes the same point : one shouldn’t wish to become a
parent only for its own sake but for the sake of religion as well.
Allah (SWT)
The Ayahs then move to another meaning; you people need to have children, but
Allah (SWT) is never in need for them. The Surah rebukes those who claim that Allah
(SWT) has a son, be He glorified and exalted. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated
as, “And they say: “The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring
or children) [as the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the
Christians say that He has begotten a son [‘Isa (Jesus) AS], and the pagan Arabs
say that He has begotten daughters (angels and others.)]. Indeed you have
brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. Whereby the heavens are almost torn,
and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, that they ascribe a
son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah). But it is not suitable
for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or
offspring or children). There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto
the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave. Verily He knows each one of them, and has
counted them a full counting. And every one of them will come to Him alone on
the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).” (TMQ,
19:88-95).
The same Surah refers to people’s insistent need for children, yet denies that Allah
(SWT) needs to have a child, because He (SWT) is the Ever Living. People need to
have children because they get old and eventually die.
Waves and breezes
The first section in the Surah focuses on man’s need to have children and offspring.
Thus, the Ayahs were so tender in referring to this, while the endings of the syllables
are strong, “(This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave Zakariya.
When he called out his Lord (Allah) a call in secret… as a mercy (or a grant)
from Us”. (TMQ, 19:2-3, 13).
This Surah is one among many in the Holy Qur’an to refer to the word “mercy” and
Allah’s (SWT) name “the Compassionate”. The word “mercy” and its derivatives are
mentioned 20 times in this Surah.
As for the second section of the Surah, it denies the claim that Allah (SWT) has a son
in strong and forceful words. This suits the fabrication made by some people,
claiming that Allah (SWT) has a son. Hence, the Surah uses both tender and harsh
language without changing the cadence of the Surah or the effects it has on the reader,
which proves the miraculous nature of the Holy Qur’an.
Why was the Surah named Maryam