English

QCF V2

Mahmoud Khaleel Al-Husary

Ibn Kathir (Abridged)

Hasan Efendi Nahi

In the story told here, Mary’s mother (Hanna) had expected to give birth to a boy, as her pregnancy came after prayers and a promise to dedicate her child to serve at the Temple (i.e. al-Aqsa Mosque). Since only males were accepted in this role, she was surprised, perhaps disappointed, when she gave birth to a girl. The words “the male is not like the female” can be understood as part of her speech, merely expressing how each cannot perform the other’s functions.

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However, Allah had a greater plan in store for this girl, and another way to read that part of the verse is that **“God knew better what (a great woman) she had given birth to, and the male (which she had hoped for) is nothing compared to the female (she was granted)!”** 

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God accepted her oath and her prayers for Mary. Abu Hurayrah reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "There is no newborn who is born except that Satan touches him when he is born, so he cries out because of Satan’s touch, except for Mary and her son." Abu Hurayrah would say: "Recite, if you wish: 'And I seek refuge for her and her offspring with You from the accursed Satan.'"  (Bukhari, Muslim) She was then entrusted to the care of Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him), whom He inspired to place her in the service of the Temple, something that no woman had done before. All of this was done as a sign for the greatness of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) to whom she was to give birth.



Does this verse imply that girls are less valued than boys?

This verse makes reference to the known difference between male and female, but more specifically shows how God raised a specific female above most males He created.