Do Muslims believe in Virgin Mary?
Maryam (Mary), the daughter of ‘Imraan, may Allah be pleased with her, is one of the devoted worshippers and righteous women. She is mentioned in the Quran, where she is described as possessing the characteristics of the people of faith. She was a believer whose faith, affirmation of Allah’s Oneness and obedience to Him were perfect.
The Quran describes her as a true slave of Allah, who was humble and obedient to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Allah, may He be exalted, says:
And ˹remember˺ when the angels said, “O Mary! Surely Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all women of the world. O Mary! Be devout to your Lord, prostrate yourself ˹in prayer˺ and bow along with those who bow down.”
Quran - 3:42-43(interpretation of the meaning)
Maryam’s Innocence
Muslims respect Maryam and believe in what is mentioned in the Holy Quran about her, namely her purity and innocence of what the enemies of Allah accused her of:
And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse)
Quran - 4:156(interpretation of the meaning)
In the Quran, there is an entire chapter named after Maryam, which beautifully conveys the story of the virgin birth. In the Islamic view, Maryam was a virgin; she had never been married before or during the time of the birth of Jesus ﷺ (peace be upon him). Maryam was quite shocked when the angel informed her that she would bear a son, saying:
She wondered, ‘How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me, nor am I unchaste?’
Quran - 19:20(interpretation of the meaning)
The Islamic sources do not report a betrothal for Maryam, nor do they mention Joseph, nor a later marriage, nor any siblings for Jesus ﷺ (peace be upon him).
Among the Muslims, she is the perfect Muslim woman, one of the most virtuous of the women of Paradise, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) said:
Many men have attained perfection but no women have attained perfection except Aasiyah the wife of Pharaoh and Maryam the daughter of ‘Imraan, (...)
Sahih Muslim, 2431
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) said:
Mary, the daughter of `Imraan, was the best among the women (of the world of her time) (...)
Sahih al-Bukhari, 3432
The miraculous birth of Jesus - a sign to all mankind
Muslims believe that Allah made her and her son a sign to all mankind, and a testimony to the Oneness, Lordship and Might of Allah. Allah, may He be exalted, says:
And We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother as a sign (...)
Quran - 23:50(interpretation of the meaning)
He also says:
(Remember) when the angels proclaimed, “O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest (to Allah).
Quran - 3:45(interpretation of the meaning)
Allah also warns those who take Jesus and his mother, Maryam, as deities, associating them with Allah:
The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. (Many) messengers had (come and) gone before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They both ate food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). (...)
Quran - 5:75(interpretation of the meaning)
Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, has told us that on the Day of Resurrection the Prophet of Allah ‘Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary) ﷺ (peace be upon him) will disavow the polytheism of those who associate him with Allah and exaggerate about him and his mother. Let us reflect upon that sublime exchange that will take place between the Lord of Glory and Majesty and His slave and Messenger ‘Isa ibn Maryam ﷺ (peace be upon him). Allah, may He be exalted, says:
And (on Judgment Day) Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?” He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, You would have certainly known it. You know what is (hidden) within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You (alone) are the Knower of all unseen. I never told them anything except what You ordered me to say: “Worship Allah—my Lord and your Lord!” And I was witness over them as long as I remained among them. But when You took me, You were the Witness over them—and You are a Witness over all things.
Quran - 5:116-117(interpretation of the meaning)