Al-Qur'an Surah Maryam Verse 16

Mufti Taqi Usmani

And mention in the Book (the story of) Maryam, when she secluded herself from her people to a place towards East,

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And mention in the Book ˹O Prophet, the story of˺ Mary when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east,

Ruwwad Translation Center

And mention in the Book [the story of] Mary when she withdrew from her family to a place towards the east.

A. J. Arberry

And mention in the Book Mary when she withdrew from her people to an eastern place,

Abdul Haleem

Mention in the Quran the story of Mary. She withdrew from her family to a place to the east

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time the retired from her people to a place eastward.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.

Abul Ala Maududi

(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east;

Ahmed Ali

Commemorate Mary in the Book. When she withdrew from her family to a place in the East

Ahmed Raza Khan

And remember Maryam in the Book; when she went away from her family to a place towards east.

Ali Quli Qarai

And mention in the Book Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an easterly place.

Ali Ünal

And make mention, in the Book, of Mary. She withdrew from her family to a chamber (in the Temple) facing east (to devote herself to worship and reflection).

Amatul Rahman Omar

And give an account of Mary in this Book when she withdrew from her people to an eastern spacious place (of the temple).

English Literal

And remember/mention in The Book Mary when she distantly isolated herself from her family/relation (to) an easterly/eastern place/position.

Faridul Haque

And remember Maryam in the Book; when she went away from her family to a place towards east.

Hamid S. Aziz

So peace upon him the day he was born, and the day he died, and the day he shall be raised up to life again.

Hilali & Khan

And mention in the Book (the Quran, O Muhammad SAW, the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And peace on him the day he was born and the day he died, and the day he is raised to life!

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And mention Marium in the Book when she drew aside from her family to an eastern place;

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,

Muhammad Sarwar

(Muhammad), mention in the Book (the Quran) the story of Mary how she left her family and started living in a solitary place to the East

Qaribullah & Darwish

And mention in the Book, Mary, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place and she took a veil apart from them;

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And mention in the Book, Maryam, when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to place facing east.

Wahiduddin Khan

Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place

Talal Itani

And mention in the Scripture Mary, when she withdrew from her people to an eastern location.

Tafsir jalalayn

And mention in the Book, [in] the Qur'n, Mary, that is, [mention] her tale, when she withdrew from her family to an easterly place, that is, [when] she secluded herself in a place on the east side of [her] home.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Story of Maryam and Al-Masih (`Isa)

After Allah, the Exalted, mentioned the story of Zakariyya, and that He blessed him with a righteous, purified and blessed child even in his old age while his wife was barren, He then mentions the story of Maryam.

Allah informs of His granting her a child named `Isa without a father being involved (in her pregnancy).

Between these two stories there is an appropriate and similar relationship. Due to their closeness in meaning, Allah mentioned them here together, as well as in Surahs Al Imran and Al-Anbiya'. Allah has mentioned these stories to show His servants His ability, the might of His authority and that He has power over all things.

Allah says,

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ

And mention in the Book, Maryam,

She was Maryam bint Imran from the family lineage of Dawud. She was from a good and wholesome family of the Children of Israel. Allah mentioned the story of her mother's pregnancy with her in Surah Al Imran, and that she (Maryam's mother) dedicated her freely for the service of Allah. This meant that she dedicated the child (Maryam) to the service of the Masjid of the Sacred House (in Jerusalem). Thus, they (Zakariyya, Maryam's mother and Maryam) were similar in that aspect.

فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا


So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner. (3;37)

Thus, Maryam was raised among the Children of Israel in an honorable way. She was one of the female worshippers, well-known for her remarkable acts of worship, devotion and perseverance. She lived under the care of her brother-in-law, Zakariyya, who was a Prophet of the Children of Israel at that time. He was a great man among them, whom they would refer to in their religious matters. Zakariyya saw astonishing miracles occur from her that amazed him.

كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا قَالَ يمَرْيَمُ أَنَّى لَكِ هَـذَا

قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ

إنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَأءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

Every time Zakariyya entered the Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said;"O Maryam! From where have you got this!"

She said, "This is from Allah."

Verily, Allah provides to whom He wills, without limit. (3;37)

It has been mentioned that he would find her with winter fruit during the summer and summer fruit during the winter. This has already been explained in Surah Al Imran. Then, when Allah wanted to grant her His servant and Messenger, `Isa, one of the five Great Messengers.

إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا



when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to place facing east.

This means that she withdrew from them and secluded herself from them. She went to the eastern side of the Sacred Masjid (in Jerusalem).

It is reported from Ibn Abbas that he said,

"Verily, I am the most knowledgeable of Allah's creation of why the Christians took the east as the direction of devotional worship. They did because of Allah's statement,
إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا
(When she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east), Therefore, they took the birthplace of `Isa as their direction of worship."

Concerning Allah's statement