ADHIKR

This Surath got the name Maryam from verse 16. This Meccan Surath containing 98 verses is revealed before the first migration of Messenger Mohammad’s followers to Ethiopia. There was at least a member from each tribe of Quraysh among those who migrated. So the chiefs of the Quraysh tribes tried to influence Ethiopean king Negus (Najashi) to demand the return of the fugitives. So the believers were brought in front of the Negus and his bishops. Ja‘far ibn Abī Tālib who acted as the leader of the emigrates spoke in their defense. He described to the king how they lived before Islam, and told about Messenger Muhammad and what he taught them. He also spoke of the persecution they had faced at the hands of the Quraysh. The king asked if they had with them anything which had come from the Lord. When Ja‘far confirmed, the king commanded him to read it. Ja‘far then recited verses from this Surath. When the king heard it, he wept and exclaimed: "Verily, this and what Jesus brought has come from the same source of Light". He then affirmed that he would never give up the emigrant believers. Years later when Negus died, Messenger and followers had conducted a funeral prayer at Medina. That was the only funeral prayer conducted in the absence of the dead body in Messenger’s life.

Surath describes the historical events related to Prophet Idrees, Ismael, Yaqoob, Moosa, Haroon, Zakariya, Yahya, and Jesus. It also describes Maryam, the mother of Jesus, who is set as one of the role models for the believing men and women by the Lord. Verse 58 is one of the 15 places of the Prostration of Recitation. It also describes the rewards for those who testify It in this world and the punishments for those who hide and reject It.