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“Remember, when the Angel said: ‘O Maryam! Verily Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Kalimah (Word) from Him.His name is Al-Maseeh Isaa, the Son of Maryam. Honoured will he be in this world and the Hereafter, an1d he will be of the (those enjoying the loftiest stages of Divine Proximity).”” (Aal-e-Imraan, aavat 45)
CONCEPTION OF THE BABY
One day, Sayyidah Maryam, for the purpose of greater seclusion and solitude, went to a remote corner of Musjidul Aqsa where she was completely hidden from sight. There in that cloister she was engrossed in ibaadat. Suddenly, she was surprised and shocked to see a man standing near to her. Overwhelmed by fear, she said:
“If you have any fear for Allah, I seek refuge in Him from you.”
In the Bani Israaeel at that time was an immoral, faasiq goldsmith. He was notorious for his vice. Maryam (Alayhis salaam) gained the notion that the man in front of her was this faasiq whose name was Yusuf. Full of fear, she exclaimed:
“I seek refuge with Rahmaan (Allah) from you, if you do have fear (for Allah).”
However, the ‘man’ was not a human being. He was Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) who had appeared to her in human form. He said:
“Don’t fear! I am not a human being. I am a Messenger from Allah. I come to give you the glad tidings of a son.”
Flabbergasted, inutter astonishment, Sayyidah Maryam responded:
“How shall I have a son. No man has ever touched me nor am I immoral.”
Hadhrat Jibraeel(alayhis salaam) said:
“So has your Rabb decreed, and so shall it be. He will make you and your son signs for mankind. The son will be a mercy from Allah. His name will be Isaa, the Rooh of Allah. He will be known as the Maseeh. He will be honourable in both worlds.”
After Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) had conveyed the glad tidings to Sayyidah Maryam, he blew on her. Almost simultaneous with the blowing of Jibraeel (Alayhis salaam), came voice from inside her body a exclaiming:
“Allah is One and I am His servant.”
Maryam engrossed herself in ibaadat. Night and day she shed tears profusely and engaged in ibaadat.She did not divulge this episode to anyone. Sobbing with grief, anxiety and fear, she implored:
“O Allah! I shall be disgraced among the people and because of me, my mother too will be disgraced.”
After all, she was a young girl, hence despite her awareness of the reality as conveyed to her by Hadhrat Jibraeel (Alayhis salaam), she was still apprehensive and fearful. After some time Sayyidah Maryam perceived that she was pregnant. It was quite natural for her to become fearful and apprehensive.The scandal which would erupt once her secret was revealed was weighing heavily on her. She will be reviled and slandered by the entire community. With each passing day, her concern and apprehension increased. The intensity of her fear and concern over what the community will say when her pregnancy is discovered, made her miserable. Despite her awareness of the assurance given to her by the Angel, it was just natural for this pious girl to be smitten by worry, fear and anxiety.Ultimately her secret became known. Rumour and gossip were rife. The unmarried Maryam was pregnant! The Yahudi women initiated a slander campaign against her. However, Maryam remained silent. She did not utter a word in her defence. Her defence was assigned by her to Allah Ta’ala. She understood that whatever she would say to vindicate herself would be rejected with contempt. Thus, she suffered the slanders in silence and in tears.When the time for delivery was imminent, she became desperate with fear and concern. The community will most certainly slander and revile her. She therefore resolved to surreptitiously depart from Musjidul Aqsa to seek refuge elsewhere. Thus, one day she quietly without informing anyone left Musjidul Aqsa.
Filled with grief and worry, the young pregnant Maryam with a mountain of worry and sadness, alone disappeared from the scene, seeking refuge in isolation. She went to a place called Kooh Sarraah and also Baitul Laham, nine miles away from Musjidul Aqsa where she spent many happy and pious days being of service to the Musjid and in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala.
Today that place is called Bethlehem.The lonely and grieving Sayyidah Maryam sat down on a sand dune in her place of refuge. Although she was aware that sooner or later the people will discover the reality, she resolved to keep her secret as long as she could possibly save herself from the slanders, curses and taunts of the people.
Source: The Ambiya Of Allah Ta’laa
