سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ
Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 17
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.
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.
