Maryam, the mother of the Prophet Eesa (Jesus Christ), is considered as a shining figure in Islamic history. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Holy Qur’an. In fact, a chapter in the Qur’an, Surah Maryam, is named after her. According to the Qur’an, Maryam’s father is Imran, and the third chapter of the Qur’an, Surah Alu Imran (Family of Imran), is named after him. Moreover, Maryam is one of the two women held up as exemplary models for believers in the Holy Qur’an. “And (the example of) Maryam, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our Angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.” (Qur’an 66:12)

The Qur’an describes the virgin birth of Jesus as a miracle, where Maryam became pregnant and delivered Him without the touching of any man, as recounted in the following verses: “And mention in the Book (the story of) Maryam, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel (Gabriel), and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She (Maryam) said, ‘Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, (so leave me), if you should be fearing of Allah.’ He (Gabriel) said, ‘I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you (news of) a pure boy.’ She said, ‘How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?’ He said, ‘Thus (it will be); your Lord says, “It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter (already) decreed.”‘ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.’ Then a voice called out to her from below her, ‘Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.'” (19:16-25)

The Qur’an introduces Maryam as the best of the women of all the worlds. “And (mention) when the angels said, ‘O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.'” (Qur’an 3:42). Also, remember that nowhere in the Bible is Maryam (Mary) mentioned with such a high level of respect.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that Maryam is the highest of all women in Paradise. See a hadeeth narrated by Ibn Abbas, the companion of the Prophet ﷺ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: سيداتُ نساءِ أهلِ الجنةِ بعدَ مريمَ بنت عمرانَ : فاطمةُ ، وخديجةُ ، وآسيةُ امرأة فرعونَ
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘After Maryam, the daughter of Imran (Mary, the mother of Jesus), the most honorable women in Paradise are Fathimah, Khadeejah, and Asiyah, the wife of Pharaoh. ‘” (Tabrani, 11/415; Authenticated)
This hadeeth establishes that Maryam, the mother of Jesus, holds the most exalted position among the women of heaven. Notably, the ranks of Khadeejah (the wife of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) and Fathimah (the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) are below that of Maryam (Mary), according to the hadeeth.

Yes, it is not an Arab woman that the Holy Qur’an singles out as a good example for the believers and the best of the women of all the worlds; rather, it is Maryam, an Israelite woman. This fact refutes critics’ argument that Islam aims to promote Arab nationalism.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described Maryam (Mary), as the woman who occupies the highest position among the women of heaven. This highlights the exalted status that Islam accords to Maryam, the mother of Jesus Christ, who is deeply revered by Christians. The significance of this inclusive perspective presented by Islam is particularly relevant in today’s era of growing religious sectarianism. The Qur’an states: “Say, [O believers], ‘We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Ibraheem, Ismaeel, Is’haq, Ya’qoob and the Tribes, and what was given to Moosa (Moses), Eesa (Jesus), and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'” (2:136)