Prophets Yaḥyā and ʿĪsā: Part 1 — Five Commands, a Palm Trunk and a Voice From the Cradle
Section 9 of 25 · Lives of the Prophets
Was Maryam a Prophet?
Allah (swt) says that the angels came to Maryam and delivered to her the news that she has been chosen by Allah. So this news was given to her by the angels: they descended on her and gave her this news. Now, this has led some of the scholars — like Ibn Ḥazm, for example — to say that Maryam was a nabiyyah. Ibn Ḥazm said that Maryam is a prophet, because the angels descended on her. But this is not accepted by the scholars of the Ummah. Why? Because Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“And We did not send before you messengers except men whom We inspired with revelation. So, ask the people (having the knowledge) of the Message, if you do not know.” (21:7)
Wa mā arsalnā qablaka illā rijālan nūḥī ilayhim: we have not sent before you except men, to whom We reveal. So prophethood is among the men. The fact that the angels came to Maryam doesn't mean that it was a waḥy of revelation to her; it was some sort of inspiration, or the speaking of an angel to her — and it's a karāmah. It's a karāmah from Allah (swt) to Maryam.
Wa ṭahharaki: and Allah (swt) has purified you. Wa-ṣṭafāki ʿalā nisāʾi al-ʿālamīn: and Allah (swt) has chosen you above all the women of the world.