Name: The name of this chapter is Maryam, or Mary, as reported by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It has six sections and ninety-eight verses. Hazrat Mary is the name of the mother of Prophet Jesus. This chapter talks about Prophet Jesus and gives conclusive arguments against false Christian doctrines, hence it is named after his mother. A reading of this chapter shows that it lays great emphasis on the sinlessness or innocence of all prophets, removing any special distinction for Prophet Jesus as alleged by Christian beliefs. In confronting this belief, Allah honorably addresses other prophets, calling Prophet John pure and sinless, Prophet Abraham truthful and free of all sin, stating Prophet Moses to be free from all impurities, and narrating the innocence of Prophet Ishmael. Moreover, the chapter is named Maryam to refute the Christian belief that sin came into the world through women. If sin was inherited because of being born of a woman and hence all prophets were sinful, then Prophet Jesus was also born of a woman and the Christian scripture states: How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? (Job 25:4).
Summary: The chapter begins with the mention of Prophet Zacharias (refer to note 19:3a) and is followed by the mention of Prophet John who is a contemporary with Prophet Jesus. In the mention of Prophet John, two things are emphasized. First, a stress on the sinlessness of Prophet John and second, the realization that for the guidance of Bani Israel in that time period, Prophet Jesus was not sent alone, but there was a need to supplement him with another prophet. In the second section are details about Hazrat Mary conceiving Prophet Jesus and giving birth to him and about his prophethood. All these details are furnished to show that Prophet Jesus is nothing more than human and his divinity is consistently refuted, even in response to the objection of the Jews. The third section narrates an account of Prophet Abraham who is more widely accepted than Prophet Jesus. The one charge against him, that he told a lie, is refuted. The fourth section mentions Prophet Moses, Prophet Ishmael and some other prophets, establishing their innocence and the system of prophets that has continued from the time humans were created. The fifth section conveys that the things the Christian are proud of, like their resources, wealth, and riches will be ultimately taken from them. The sixth section predicts the demise of the belief of the sonship of Jesus and the spread through the world of love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. – the chief of all righteous persons.
Relationship with previous chapter: The relationship of this chapter with the previous one is obvious. The previous chapter gives the history of the Christian religion and in this chapter conclusive arguments are given against its beliefs. The doctrine of the sonship of Prophet Jesus on which the entire edifice of Christianity rests is shown to be false and it is stated that this doctrine cannot survive the test of time. Hence, both the chapters have the same subject and are devoted to Christianity.
Period of revelation: For the period of revelation of this chapter, the reader is referred to the note on the period of the revelation of the Chapter Bani Israel. It is historically established that this chapter was read before the Ethiopian king Negus by the Muslim immigrants who had sought refuge in Ethiopia from the Quraish in the fifth year of the Call. This event took place in the early days after migration because the disbelievers of Quraish had sent a delegation in pursuit of the Muslim refugees to the court of the Negus. In response to a complaint lodged before the Negus by the deputation, he enquired about the concept of Prophet Jesus in Islam, and this chapter was referred to. Therefore, it is established that this chapter was revealed in the fourth year of the Call or the early fifth year. The entire chapter is a Makkan revelation.
Bayan-ul-Quran 