The Annunciation of the Virgin in the Quran

The Annunciation of the Virgin in the Quran

Etymology and Translations

Annunciation: The revelation to the Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel that she would conceive Jesus, also known as Isa in Arabic. The term “Annunciation” stems from the Latin word annuntiatio meaning “announcement.”

• Arabic: بشارة السيدة مريم (Bisharat al-Sayyidah Maryam)
• Turkish: Meryem’e Müjde (Meryem'e Müjde)

Quranic Narrative

Surah Al-Imran (3:37-43)

<p>&ldquo;And remember when the angels said, ‘O Mary! Verily hath God chosen thee, and purified thee, and chosen thee above the women of the worlds! O Mary! be devout towards thy Lord, and prostrate thyself, and bow down with those who bow.’ This is one of the announcements of things unseen by thee: To thee, O Muhammad! do we reveal it; for thou wast not with them when they cast lots with reeds which of them should rear Mary; nor wast thou with them when they disputed about it.</p> <p>Remember when the angel said, ‘O Mary! Verily God announceth to thee the Word from Him: His name shall be, Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, illustrious in this world, and in the next, and one of those who have near access to God; and he shall speak to men alike when in the cradle and when grown up; and he shall be one of the just.’ She said, ‘How, O my Lord! shall I have a son, when man hath not touched me?’ He said, ‘Thus: God will create what He will; when He decreeth a thing, He only saith, “Be,” and it is.’</p> <p>And He will teach him the Book, and the Wisdom, and the Law, and the Evangel; and he shall be an apostle to the children of Israel.”&rdquo;</p>

Surah Maryam (19:16-21)

<p>“And make mention in the Book, of Mary, when she went apart from her family, eastward, and took a veil to shroud herself from them: and We sent Our spirit to her, and he took before her the form of a perfect man. She said: ‘I fly for refuge from thee to the God of Mercy! If thou fearest Him, begone from me.’</p> <p>He said: ‘I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a holy son.’ She said: ‘How shall I have a son, when man hath never touched me? and I am not unchaste.’ He said: ‘So shall it be. Thy Lord hath said: “Easy is this with me; and we will make him a sign to mankind, and a mercy from us. For it is a thing decreed.”’&quot;</p>

Commentary and Implications

In both Surah Al-Imran (3) and Surah Maryam (19), the Quran provides a detailed account of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary (Maryam in Arabic). The angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) visits Mary to deliver the divine message, announcing that she has been chosen and purified by God (Allah in Arabic).

According to Islamic tradition:

• Immaculate Conception: Both Mary and her mother are significant figures free from sin, creating a parallel importance to Christian theology but with distinctions.
• Miraculous Conception of Jesus: Jesus (Isa) is regarded as one of the greatest prophets and his birth is seen as a miraculous event demonstrating God’s power.

Key Concepts

• Purity and Devotion: Mary is chosen and purified by God, setting a high standard of devoutness and piety.
• Divine Will: The expressed power of God’s will is evident in the conception of Jesus, demonstrating the belief in “Kun fa-yakun” (Be, and it is).
• Jesus as Messiah: Acknowledged in Islam as the Messiah but not divine, contrary to Christian theology.

Further Studies

For a deeper understanding of Mary in Islam and her significance, consider these scholarly works:

• “Mary in the Quran: A Literary Reading” by Asma Afsaruddin
• “The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims” by Mustafa Akyol
• “Jesus and the Quran” by Neal Robinson

Takeaways and Conclusion

The Quranic narrative of the Annunciation highlights Mary as a figure of utmost purity and devotion, chosen by God to bear Jesus. It underscores Islamic beliefs in the miraculous power of God’s will and provides an interfaith connection between Christianity and Islam regarding the figures of Mary and Jesus.

In conclusion, the Annunciation in Islam is a multi-faceted doctrine rooted in divine will and purity, contributing to a rich theological and inter-religious discourse.