Who was Mary's mother in the Quran?

Mary's mother is referred to in the Quran as the 'wife of 'Imran'. According to classical commentators like al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, her name was Hannah bint Faqudh. She is honored as a pious woman whose sincere vow and prayer for her child were accepted by God.

What vow did the wife of 'Imran make?

The wife of 'Imran vowed to dedicate the child in her womb exclusively for Allah's service, consecrated to the temple in Jerusalem. This was an act of supreme devotion, as she expected a male child who could fulfill this role according to the custom of the time.

What is the significance of the prayer of Mary's mother?

Her prayer, seeking refuge in Allah for Maryam and her descendants from Satan, is profoundly significant. Islamic tradition, as mentioned in hadith, holds that this prayer was answered, and Maryam and her son 'Isa (Jesus) were uniquely protected from the touch of Satan at birth.

Mary's Mother: A Model of Faith and Devotion

Mary’s mother

Explore Verses Related to Mary’s mother

🕌Ali 'Imran3:35 🕌Ali 'Imran3:36

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the mother of Maryam (Mary), referred to in the Quran as the 'wife of 'Imran,' is a paramount example of maternal piety and unwavering faith. Classical historians and commentators like Muhammad ibn Ishaq and al-Tabari identify her by the name Hannah bint Faqudh. Her story, detailed in Surah Al 'Imran, revolves around her heartfelt vow to dedicate her unborn child to the service of Allah in the temple of Jerusalem. Upon giving birth to a daughter, Maryam, she demonstrated profound trust in Allah's plan, humbly accepting His decree and immediately seeking His protection for her child. Ibn Kathir highlights the divine acceptance of her supplication, noting the tradition that Maryam and her son 'Isa were protected from Satan's touch at birth as a direct result of her prayer. The synthesis of her sincere vow (Quran 3:35) and her trusting prayer (Quran 3:36) establishes her as a timeless spiritual role model, whose devotion paved the way for the blessed life of Maryam, the greatest woman of all time.

📖 Quranic Context

Her story is the prelude to the miraculous birth and life of Maryam, setting a precedent of piety and divine acceptance.

Portrayed as a righteous servant whose sincere supplication and vow were accepted by Allah, highlighting His responsiveness to heartfelt devotion.

References: Referenced specifically in Quran 3:35-36.

💭 Theological Perspective

Represents the epitome of a mother's sincere hope and pious intentions for her offspring.

Demonstrates the power of positive intention (niyyah) and trust in Allah's plan (tawakkul), even when the outcome differs from expectations.

Her actions serve as a means through which Allah's special plan for Maryam unfolds.

A timeless example of faith, devotion, and the spiritual legacy a parent can establish for their children.

📜 Hadith Perspective

While not named directly in many hadiths, the principle of her prayer is supported by the hadith mentioning that Maryam and her son 'Isa were protected from the touch of Satan at birth, a direct result of her supplication.

The power of a parent's dua for their child.
Divine protection for the righteous.
The acceptance of sincere vows.

Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari unanimously identify her as Hannah bint Faqudh and praise her piety and the significance of her vow.

💎 Deeper Insights

Her act of naming her daughter Maryam, which means 'servant of God,' was an immediate fulfillment of her original vow in a new form. Instead of dedicating a male for temple service, she dedicated her daughter through a name that defined her life's purpose, demonstrating profound wisdom and submission.

— Synthesis of Tafsir commentaries

The Quranic phrasing 'And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered' (3:36) is a divine interjection that elevates the status of the female child. While the mother noted the practical difference ('the male is not like the female'), Allah's comment implies that this particular female was far superior for His divine plan than any male could have been, a direct honor to both the mother's sincerity and the daughter's future role.

— Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir