In this episode of the Tafseer series, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Hanif explains verses 27–40 of Surah Maryam, where Maryam returns to her people carrying her child and faces their accusations with patience and trust in Allah ﷻ. When they question her, she points to the infant ʿĪsā, and by the permission of Allah, he speaks from the cradle. He declares himself to be the servant of Allah, given Scripture and made a prophet. He is blessed wherever he may be, commanded with prayer and zakāh, and made dutiful to his mother, not arrogant or rebellious. Allah ﷻ then clarifies the truth about ʿĪsā, the son of Maryam, rejecting the false claim that Allah has taken a son. When Allah decrees a matter, He simply says “Be,” and it is. These verses remind us that Allah protects His righteous servants, truth will always stand clear, and every soul will return to Him on the Day of Regret.

In this episode of the Tafseer series, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Hanif explains verses 16–26 of Surah Maryam, where Allah ﷻ tells us the story of Maryam and the great test she faced with patience and faith. Maryam withdraws from her family in seclusion, and Allah sends Jibrīl to her in the form of a man. Fearing Allah, she immediately seeks refuge in the Most Merciful, showing her purity and taqwā. Jibrīl gives her the news of a pure son, and when she wonders how this could happen, she is reminded that nothing is difficult for Allah. This child would be a sign for people and a mercy from Him. As Maryam carries this burden alone, the pains of childbirth drive her to a palm tree, where she expresses her deep grief and loneliness. Yet Allah ﷻ comforts her, providing a stream beneath her and fresh dates from the tree. These verses teach us that even in moments of fear, pain, and isolation, Allah’s mercy is near, His decree is perfect, and His help can arrive in ways we never imagined.

In this episode of the Tafseer series, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Hanif explains verses 1–15 of Surah Maryam, where Allah ﷻ begins the Surah with a beautiful mention of His mercy towards His servant Zakariyyā. In old age, with his bones weakened and his hair turned white, Zakariyyā calls upon Allah privately, never losing hope in his Lord. Although his wife was barren and he had reached extreme old age, he asks Allah for an heir who would continue the legacy of prophethood and be pleasing to Him. Allah ﷻ responds with glad tidings of a son, Yaḥyā, whose name had not been given before. When Zakariyyā wonders how this could happen, he is reminded that nothing is difficult for Allah, the One who created him when he was nothing. These verses then introduce Yaḥyā as a child granted wisdom, purity, tenderness, taqwā, and obedience to his parents. He was not arrogant or rebellious, but a servant honoured by Allah. These verses teach us that sincere duʿā, even in impossible circumstances, is never wasted, and that the mercy of Allah can bring hope where all worldly means seem absent.