سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ
Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 1
كٓهيعٓصٓ ﴿1﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Kâf-Hâ-Yâ-‘Aîn-Sâd. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
كٓهيعٓصٓ
kaf-ha-ya-ain-sad
Kaaf Ha Ya Ain Sad
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.
1. Kaf. Ha. Ya. 'Ain. Sad. [1] [2]
[1] The name of this surah is Maryam because it contains a detailed account of Lady Maryam, and she is the only woman whose name is mentioned in the Quran, and her name appears at least thirty times.
[2]
The Migration to Abyssinia:
This surah was revealed in Mecca before the migration to Abyssinia, that is, before the 5th year of Prophethood. The Muslims were suffering under the unjust oppression and hardships of the Quraysh, and whether slave or free, weak or strong, life had been made difficult for all Muslims. Eventually, the Prophet ﷺ gave permission to migrate to Abyssinia. The Christian king there, whom the Muslims called Najashi, was famous for his justice, and another benefit of migrating to Abyssinia was that there was an open field for preaching there. Thus, the first delegation to Abyssinia, led by Sayyiduna Uthman ؓ, included eleven men and four women. Among these women was Sayyiduna Uthman’s ؓ wife, that is, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Ruqayyah. On this occasion, the Prophet ﷺ said: “After Sayyiduna Ibrahim ؑ, this is the first couple to set out for migration in the way of Allah.” Gradually, the number of these emigrants increased. Within a few months, 83 men and 11 women had moved to Abyssinia, among whom were seven non-Qurayshi Muslims, and only 40 people remained in Mecca with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This situation greatly disturbed the disbelievers of Mecca, because almost all of those who migrated were the pride of some household—someone’s son, someone’s son-in-law, someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, etc. Affected by this shock, some people became Muslim, but the majority increased their oppression of the Muslims. A plan was made that, by whatever means possible, the emigrants to Abyssinia should be brought back to Mecca.
The Migration to Abyssinia and the Failure of the Qurayshi Delegation:
For this purpose, two expert diplomats, Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’ah (Abu Jahl’s maternal brother) and Amr bin As (the future conqueror of Egypt, who had not yet embraced Islam), were chosen. Both of them took gifts for the king and the priests and reached Abyssinia. First, they met the priests and, after giving them gifts, persuaded them that when they presented their petition before the king, the priests should support them. Thus, the next day, this delegation appeared before the king, presented their gifts, and said: “Some of our criminals have fled from Mecca and taken refuge with you. Please return them to us.” The bribed courtiers and priests supported them. But Najashi was a just man. He was not swayed by their words and said that until he heard the people’s side, how could he order their return? Thus, the Muslims were summoned and asked about the situation. The Muslims appointed Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar ؓ as their representative or spokesperson. He explained that they had been involved in various misguidances, but Allah sent a Prophet among them, whom they believed in, and then these people (the Quraysh) relentlessly persecuted them. Driven by their oppression and cruelty, they had sought refuge in his country. Najashi said: “Recite some of the revelation that has come to your Prophet.” So Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar ؓ recited the opening verses of this Surah Maryam, which mention Sayyiduna Zakariya and Lady Maryam. Hearing this, Najashi was moved to tears. He kept listening and weeping until his beard became wet, and when Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar finished reciting, he said: “This revelation and the revelation that came to Sayyiduna Isa ؑ both spring from the same source. By Allah! I will not hand these people over to you.” Upon Najashi’s refusal, the Qurayshi delegation became very disappointed and gathered to consider the situation. Amr bin As suddenly exclaimed that they should meet the king again, for he would present such a matter that would surely bring them success. The next day, Amr bin As gained an audience and said to the king: “Do you know what these people believe about Sayyiduna Isa ؑ?” The king summoned the Muslims again for an answer to this question. They had already learned of this. In any case, they decided that whatever the circumstances, they would speak the truth, and when Najashi asked this question, Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar said: “Isa ؑ was Allah’s servant, His messenger, His spirit, and His word.” Hearing this answer, Najashi picked up a straw and said: “By Allah! What you have said—Isa ؑ does not exceed it by even this straw.” The courtiers were angered by Najashi’s comment, but he paid them no heed. The Qurayshi delegation was completely unsuccessful. Najashi returned their gifts to them and allowed the Muslims to live in peace and security in his country.
[1] The name of this surah is Maryam because it contains a detailed account of Lady Maryam, and she is the only woman whose name is mentioned in the Quran, and her name appears at least thirty times.
[2]
The Migration to Abyssinia:
This surah was revealed in Mecca before the migration to Abyssinia, that is, before the 5th year of Prophethood. The Muslims were suffering under the unjust oppression and hardships of the Quraysh, and whether slave or free, weak or strong, life had been made difficult for all Muslims. Eventually, the Prophet ﷺ gave permission to migrate to Abyssinia. The Christian king there, whom the Muslims called Najashi, was famous for his justice, and another benefit of migrating to Abyssinia was that there was an open field for preaching there. Thus, the first delegation to Abyssinia, led by Sayyiduna Uthman ؓ, included eleven men and four women. Among these women was Sayyiduna Uthman’s ؓ wife, that is, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Ruqayyah. On this occasion, the Prophet ﷺ said: “After Sayyiduna Ibrahim ؑ, this is the first couple to set out for migration in the way of Allah.” Gradually, the number of these emigrants increased. Within a few months, 83 men and 11 women had moved to Abyssinia, among whom were seven non-Qurayshi Muslims, and only 40 people remained in Mecca with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This situation greatly disturbed the disbelievers of Mecca, because almost all of those who migrated were the pride of some household—someone’s son, someone’s son-in-law, someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, etc. Affected by this shock, some people became Muslim, but the majority increased their oppression of the Muslims. A plan was made that, by whatever means possible, the emigrants to Abyssinia should be brought back to Mecca.
The Migration to Abyssinia and the Failure of the Qurayshi Delegation:
For this purpose, two expert diplomats, Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’ah (Abu Jahl’s maternal brother) and Amr bin As (the future conqueror of Egypt, who had not yet embraced Islam), were chosen. Both of them took gifts for the king and the priests and reached Abyssinia. First, they met the priests and, after giving them gifts, persuaded them that when they presented their petition before the king, the priests should support them. Thus, the next day, this delegation appeared before the king, presented their gifts, and said: “Some of our criminals have fled from Mecca and taken refuge with you. Please return them to us.” The bribed courtiers and priests supported them. But Najashi was a just man. He was not swayed by their words and said that until he heard the people’s side, how could he order their return? Thus, the Muslims were summoned and asked about the situation. The Muslims appointed Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar ؓ as their representative or spokesperson. He explained that they had been involved in various misguidances, but Allah sent a Prophet among them, whom they believed in, and then these people (the Quraysh) relentlessly persecuted them. Driven by their oppression and cruelty, they had sought refuge in his country. Najashi said: “Recite some of the revelation that has come to your Prophet.” So Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar ؓ recited the opening verses of this Surah Maryam, which mention Sayyiduna Zakariya and Lady Maryam. Hearing this, Najashi was moved to tears. He kept listening and weeping until his beard became wet, and when Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar finished reciting, he said: “This revelation and the revelation that came to Sayyiduna Isa ؑ both spring from the same source. By Allah! I will not hand these people over to you.” Upon Najashi’s refusal, the Qurayshi delegation became very disappointed and gathered to consider the situation. Amr bin As suddenly exclaimed that they should meet the king again, for he would present such a matter that would surely bring them success. The next day, Amr bin As gained an audience and said to the king: “Do you know what these people believe about Sayyiduna Isa ؑ?” The king summoned the Muslims again for an answer to this question. They had already learned of this. In any case, they decided that whatever the circumstances, they would speak the truth, and when Najashi asked this question, Sayyiduna Ja’far Tayyar said: “Isa ؑ was Allah’s servant, His messenger, His spirit, and His word.” Hearing this answer, Najashi picked up a straw and said: “By Allah! What you have said—Isa ؑ does not exceed it by even this straw.” The courtiers were angered by Najashi’s comment, but he paid them no heed. The Qurayshi delegation was completely unsuccessful. Najashi returned their gifts to them and allowed the Muslims to live in peace and security in his country.
