Juz 3: Al-Baqarah 253 to Āl ʿImrān 92
Section 11 of 14 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
14. Miraculous Birth of Isa (Jesus)
The miraculous birth of Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) represents one of the most extraordinary events in human history. This divine sign demonstrates Allah's absolute power over creation and provides humanity with clear evidence against associating partners with Him.
Following the narrative of Yahya's birth, Allah describes how the angels addressed Maryam:
وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ
“And when the angels said, 'O Maryam, Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you over the women of all worlds.'" [3:42]”
Maryam had been raised in exceptional purity within the sanctuary, dedicated to worship from her childhood. Allah had selected her for a momentous role in divine history—she would bear a child miraculously without a father, demonstrating Allah's absolute creative power.
When the angel appeared to her with news of this divine plan, Maryam was understandably astonished:
قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ
“She said, 'My Lord, how shall I have a son when no human has ever touched me?'" [3:47]”
The divine response echoed the same principle given to Zakariya—that Allah's power transcends natural causality:
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ اللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَك “
“[3:47]”