A mother’s love is like no other, as is her prayer for her child - Hanifa Rahman
In A Miracle The Story of Isa Ibn Maryam (AS), we see how the love and desire of Hannah and Maryam for their child is intrinsically intertwined with their faith in God - an unbreakable bond!
Becoming a mother can be a daunting prospect for any woman. After giving birth to my first child, I remember being faced with the sudden realisation that I shall now have to nurture, care and raise another human – what an enormous responsibility!
It was a petrifying thought which filled me with apprehension about how I would perform as a parent.
And yet, as with any difficulty or anxiety, it is Allah SWT's guidance, love and power which gives us hope and direction and thus allows us to continue.
We see this in the life of Maryam (AS), and the apprehension she must have felt when suddenly pregnant with a child.
And though seized by her distress,
Maryam remained resolute in her faith.
With trust in the Mercy of Allah
she believed she would be guided and safe.
The station of Maryam (AS) is a prominent feature of the story. As much as this story is about Prophet Isa (AS) it is also about the important role of Maryam (AS).
Allah SWT’s continuous reference to Prophet Isa as ‘Isa ibn Maryam’ is a beautiful reminder of the great status and honour held by Maryam (AS); and in turn it is extremely heart-warming for all women to know the significance Allah SWT attributes to motherhood and the hardships which come with it, Subhanallah!
As the throes of labour came upon her
and the pain became a burden;
dear Maryam, weak and in desperation,
wished she was a thing long forgotten.
We can all relate to the mental as well as the physical strain of being a parent. We make many mistakes as we learn along the way - many a times to the detriment of our child. May Allah SWT forgive us our shortcomings.
How many times have we wished, like Maryam (AS), to be able to turn back the clock?
How many times have we slipped and wished we could undo what’s been done?
How many times have we felt so overburdened that we feel we can no longer continue?
And yet, Allah SWT in His infinite Mercy and Power, puts right what we thought could not be put right. Allah SWT eases the worries which cloud our minds. Allah SWT gives us hope where we thought there was no hope. Subhanallah.
How perfect is Allah SWT’s wisdom and guidance, and how great is His love for His servants!
Here we find reassurance from AllahSWT, that as the best of women can also fall into despair, so too it is normal for any human to do so; and it is through this despair, when we turn to AllahSWT, that we find solace in our Lord.
Subhan Allah! What comfort,
at a time of great distress!
For Maryam relied on Allah,
and it is in the remembrance of Him, that hearts find rest.
Through the trials and struggles of motherhood, we see how it is the strength of Maryam (AS)’s faith in Allah SWT which keeps her going; a reality for many muslim mothers.
As we go through motherhood, we learn that it is only our faith in AllahSWT which grants us strength in times of hardship and enables us to proceed.
And as children we learn that ultimately, it is through the prayers of our parents which grants us success.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
A Miracle The Story of Isa Ibn Maryam - 9780860379386
From the prayer of Hannah to the great trial faced by Maryam (as), we travel through the life of one of the Prophets of God: Prophet Isa (as). He was sent to bring people back to the Straight Path, but his journey is not yet finished; raised up to Heaven, by the Will of Allah, he is destined to return.
Based on authentic sources, this rhythmic book is full of detail and aims to correct misrepresentations and educate young readers on the Islamic narrative of Prophet Isa’s life.
Hanifa Rahman
Illustrated by Eman Salem
