سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ

Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 17

Mary · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 306

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فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا ﴿17﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrîl (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

فَٱتَّخَذَتْ fa-ittakhadhat Then she took
مِن min from them
دُونِهِمْ dūnihim from them
حِجَابًۭا ḥijāban a screen
فَأَرْسَلْنَآ fa-arsalnā Then We sent
إِلَيْهَا ilayhā to her
رُوحَنَا rūḥanā Our Spirit
فَتَمَثَّلَ fatamathala then he assumed for her the likeness
لَهَا lahā then he assumed for her the likeness
بَشَرًۭا basharan (of) a man
سَوِيًّۭا sawiyyan well-proportioned

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 17) ➊ {فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِنْ دُوْنِهِمْ حِجَابًا :} After the completion of the days, she put up a curtain for bathing, or for complete seclusion in worship.
➋ { فَاَرْسَلْنَاۤ اِلَيْهَا رُوْحَنَا :} By "spirit" here is meant Jibreel (Gabriel), as in Surah Ash-Shu'ara (193) and Surah Al-Qadr (4), the word "spirit" refers to him. Although every spirit belongs to Allah Almighty, attributing Jibreel (Gabriel) especially to Himself expresses his elevated status, just as every house and every she-camel belongs to Allah, but the House of Allah (Ka'bah) and the She-camel of Allah have a unique status. Therefore, the translation of {’’ رُوْحَنَا ‘‘} is "Our special angel."
➌ {فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا : ’’ سَوِيًّا ‘‘} A healthy (human) with complete limbs. Jibreel (Gabriel) came in human form because seeing him in his original form would have caused Maryam (Mary) severe fear or would have been unbearable. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) also saw Jibreel (Gabriel) in his original form only twice in his life. See Surah An-Najm (5 to 18). From this, it is also known that angels can change their form by Allah's command.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

17. 1 This seclusion and veil (purdah) was for the purpose of worshipping Allah so that no one would see her and she could attain concentration, or for purification from menstruation. And by the eastern place is meant the eastern side of Bayt al-Maqdis. 17. 2 By "Ruh" is meant Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام, who was sent to Maryam in the form of a perfect human being. When Maryam saw that a man had entered without hesitation, she became afraid that he might have come with bad intentions. Jibril عليه السلام said, "I am not what you think, but rather I am a messenger from your Lord, and I have come to give you the glad tidings that Allah will grant you a son." In some recitations, the verb "liyahaba" is in the third person. The first person form (which is in the current recitation) is used because, according to apparent means, Jibril عليه السلام blew into her collar, by which, with Allah's permission, she conceived. Therefore, the act of granting was attributed to himself. Or it is also possible that it is the statement of Allah Himself and is quoted here narratively. In this regard, the intended meaning of the statement would be: (اَ رْسَلَنِیْ ، یَقُولُ لَکَ اَرْسَلٰتُ رَسُوْلِیْ اِلَیْکِ الأھَبَ لَکِ) 'That is, Allah has sent me to you with this message that I have sent My messenger to you to inform you that I will grant you a pure child.' In this way, omission and intended meaning of the statement occur in several places in the Quran.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

She screened herself away from them [17], so We sent to her Our Spirit [18] (the angel), who appeared before her as a well-proportioned man.

[17]
Lady Maryam’s Worship in the Chamber of Bayt al-Maqdis:

After the extraordinary birth of Sayyiduna Yahya ؑ, now begins the miraculous birth of Sayyiduna Isa ؑ without a father. Lady Maryam ؑ used to seclude herself in a chamber on the eastern side of Bayt al-Maqdis, engaging in the worship of Allah. Then, she even put up a curtain in that room so that she could remain completely isolated from others and devote herself with full concentration to remembrance and contemplation. Another interpretation is that when she reached adulthood and experienced menstruation, she felt great shame and at that time secluded herself from everyone. Then, in that seclusion, she performed the ritual bath for menstruation.
[18] Here, “spirit” refers to an angel. Sayyiduna Jibril ؑ appeared at that very place behind the curtain in the form of a young and handsome man, and when angels come in human form to prophets or chosen personalities, they usually appear in pleasant forms.
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