Ali 'Imran · Madani · ayah 36 of 200

Ali 'Imran 3:36

فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّىٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ

“But when she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allāh was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. "And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allāh]."”

Saheeh International

Essence

She hoped for a son and was given a daughter; Allah knew better what she had borne, and she placed her in His refuge.

A reflection

Allah knew better what she had borne

At a garden party, a balloon is popped and pink confetti falls. Most of the family cheer. For half a second, before he recovers and claps, a grandfather's face falls. He had hoped for a boy to carry the name.

ʿImrān's wife had hoped for a boy too, and for a better reason. Only boys were dedicated to serve in the House of worship, the commentators explain. Her vow seemed to need a son. 'My Lord, I have delivered a female.' A classical commentator notes that this is not information. Allah already knew. It is the voice of a hope that has just collapsed, poured out to the only One she could tell.

Then the Quran interrupts her. 'And Allah knew better what she had delivered.' On the reading most reciters follow, these are Allah's own words, set inside her prayer. A modern commentary fills in the meaning: and Allah would give this girl a great standing.

She saw a daughter who could not fulfil the vow. Allah saw Maryam: the woman He would purify and choose above the women of the worlds (3:42), and the mother of a messenger. Her disappointment was real. It was also mistaken.

Here the ego meets its limits. We judge our gifts by our expectations. When what arrives does not match the plan, we call it loss. The ayah sets a quiet sentence against that habit. He knows better what He has given you.

Does Allah need to correct her, or to be praised for knowing? He needs nothing (35:15). The correction was mercy to her, and to every parent since who has felt that half-second fall. The grandfather at the party will one day be pushed in his wheelchair by that granddaughter. He does not know it yet.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.