THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) IS BORN WITHOUT
A FATHER
 One of the greatest miracles Allah manifested on the Prophet Jesus (as) is the manner in which Maryam (as) conceived. The Qur'an gives a great many details on this subject. The way that Jibril (Gabriel) (as) appeared to her is described in these terms in Surah Maryam:
Mention Maryam in the Book, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place, and veiled herself from them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her and it took on for her the form of a well-made man. (Surah Maryam: 16-17)
As we are informed in the verses above, in one of the phases of her life, Maryam (as) withdrew from her people to an eastern place and spent some part of her life there. At this time, Jibril (as) appeared to her as a normal human being. Another important matter stressed in the verses is Maryam's (as) modest behaviour and strong fear of Allah. The first words she spoke when seeing Jibril (as) were:
"I seek refuge from you with the All-Merciful if you have taqwa." (Surah Maryam: 18)
Yet, Jibril (as) introduced himself and explained that he was a messenger sent by Allah to give her glad tidings. The verses report Jibril's (as) reply as being:
"I am only your Lord's messenger so that He can give you a pure boy." (Surah Maryam: 19)
When the angels said, "Maryam, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Maryam of high esteem in the world and the hereafter, and one of those brought near." (Surah Al 'Imran: 45)
Upon hearing these glad tidings, Maryam (as) raised the question of how she could have a son when no man had ever touched her:
She said, "How can I have a boy when no one has touched me and I am not an unchaste woman?" He said, "It will be so! Your Lord says, 'That is easy for Me. It is so that We can make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us.' It is a matter already decreed." So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place. (Surah Maryam: 20-22)
She said, "My Lord! How can I have a son when no one has ever touched me?" He said, "It will be so." Allah creates whatever He wills. When He decides on something, He just says to it, 'Be!' and it is." (Surah Al 'Imran: 47)
As can be seen from the above verses, Jibril (as) gave Maryam (as) the glad tidings that she was with child and told her "Allah just says to it, 'Be!' and it is." Maryam (as) had never been touched by a man. In other words, the Prophet Jesus (as) did not come into the world in the normal way in which children are created. This is just one of the miracles that the Prophet Jesus (as) experienced during his life and will experience when he returns to earth for a second time, as a blessing of Allah.
During the time Maryam (as) remained in the "distant place", Allah supported her both physically and materially. She was totally under His protection and care during her pregnancy. Allah especially took care of all her needs. Meanwhile, by making her settle in a secluded place, Allah prevented all the harm that people devoid of understanding of this miracle were likely to do her. |
