In the Quran, no woman is mentioned as frequently or with as much reverence as the Virgin Mary. For Muslims, Mary (Maryam in Arabic) is a symbol of piety, honor, and dignity—embodying virtues that the Quran vividly portrays.
Her story begins with her mother’s supplication at birth, continues through her upbringing under Prophet Zechariah’s care, and reaches its peak with the miraculous birth of Jesus (ʿĪsā) by God’s command. The Quran also recounts her endurance through childbirth, the false accusations of fornication, and the divine miracle of baby Jesus speaking in her defense.
This guide explores 11 Quranic verses that directly mention Mary by name and five others where she is referred to as “mother” in connection with her son. Together, these verses highlight her devotion, chastity, and faith, setting her as an example of resilience and trust in God for all believers. Mary’s journey in the Quran remains a timeless source of inspiration, offering profound lessons in dignity, piety, and spiritual strength.
Is Mary mentioned in the Quran?
Yes, Mary is mentioned in the Quran in different contexts, both directly by name and indirectly by title as “mother.” She appears in verses that highlight moral lessons reflecting her noble character, as well as in verses that mention her alongside her son. In other instances, she is referred to through her son’s title as “Jesus, son of Mary” or only “son of Mary.”
How many times is Mary mentioned in the Quran?
Mary is uniquely honored in the Qur’an, being mentioned 39 times by name and title. Eleven of these references speak directly of Mary herself, highlighting her character, devotion, and divine selection. In five other verses, she is not named explicitly but is referred to by the title “mother” in divine speech that links her inseparably with her son, the Prophet Jesus.
One clear example appears in Qur’an 23:50:
“And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign,” where her identity is affirmed through her maternal role, already implied in the title given to her son.
The remaining twenty-three mentions refer to Mary indirectly through expressions such as “son of Mary” or “Jesus, son of Mary.” These references occur either in statements about Jesus or in addresses directed to him, consistently anchoring his identity to his mother.
This repeated attribution underscores Mary’s exceptional status in Islamic theology and preserves the Qur’anic emphasis on Jesus’s human birth and Mary’s central role in that divine narrative.
Read also: Is Jesus Son Of Mary The Word Of God?
Quran verses about Mary directly mentioned by name
There are 11 Quranic verses directly mentioning Mary by name, referring to her character in different contexts—starting from her birth, her upbringing, righteousness, giving birth to Jesus, and the repeated assertion of her chastity, piety, and innocence. Following are these verses mentioning Mary by name in the Quran:
1. The Birth of Mary
The birth of Mary (Maryam) is a pivotal event in Islamic tradition, demonstrating divine favor and maternal dedication. The Quran highlights Allah’s selection of certain families for their righteousness, emphasizing the piety of Mary’s family. The narrative showcases the deep faith of Mary’s mother, the wife of ‘Imran, who pledges her unborn child to Allah’s service:
“فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ”
[Mention, O Muhammad], when the wife of ‘Imran said, ‘My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me… And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled.’
This verse underscores Allah’s wisdom in accepting Mary and highlights the divine protection sought for her and her descendants.
2. Mary’s Upbringing under Prophet Zechariah’s Guardianship
The Quran recounts the dispute among people over who would care for the orphan Mary, affirming the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s revelation of unseen events:
وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَـٰمَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ
“This is news of the unseen that We reveal to you ˹O Prophet˺. You were not with them when they cast lots to decide who would be Mary’s guardian, nor were you there when they argued ˹about it˺.”
Mary was then placed under Prophet Zechariah’s guardianship, where she received miraculous provisions:
كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًۭا ۖ قَالَ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَـٰذَا ۖ
“So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provisions. He exclaimed, ‘O Mary! Where did this come from?’…”
3. Mary, the Chosen Figure for Devotion
Mary’s devotion is highlighted through divine words declaring her purification and unique selection:
يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
“And (mention) when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed God has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds.’”
4. Mary as the Symbol of Worship
Mary is depicted as a devout servant of God:
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًۭا شَرْقِيًّۭا
“And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.”
read : What Does The Quran Say About Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion?
5. The Good News of a New-Born Child for Mary
The Quran narrates the angels giving Mary the glad tidings of Jesus:
يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ ٱسْمُهُ ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ
“O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary…”
Mary questioned how this could happen without a man, and the angel replied that Allah creates what He wills, saying “Be!” and it is.
How Mary Received the News of Her Pregnancy
The Quran recounts her solitude and devotion when Allah sent His angel:
“I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy.” Mary said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.’”
Almighty God’s Nearness During Childbirth
Mary experienced the pains of childbirth under a palm tree, expressing despair, but Allah comforted her:
“Do not grieve! Your Lord has provided a stream at your feet. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.”
This portrays Allah’s Mercy and Closeness during her distress.
6. Jesus Created by Divine Command
The Quran highlights the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus, asserting that he was created by a command of Almighty One God, who sent angel Gabriel blowing into Mary’s garment, reaching her womb so that it became miraculously impregnated without a sperm:
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ
“The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah and the fulfilment of His Word through Mary and a spirit ˹created by a command˺ from Him.”
7. People’s Accusation and Baby Jesus Speaking in Defense
When Mary returned to her people with the infant, they accused her:
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْـًۭٔا فَرِيًّۭا
“They said, ‘O Mary! You have certainly done a terrible thing.’”
By Allah’s will, the baby Jesus spoke, defending his mother’s honor and affirming his prophethood.
8. The Excellence and Chastity of Mary
Mary’s chastity and faith are praised:
وَمَرْيَمَ ٱبْنَتَ عِمْرَٰنَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا
“And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her ˹womb˺ through Our angel ˹Gabriel˺. She testified to the words of her Lord and His Scriptures, and was one of the devout.”
A similar emphasis appears in Quran 21:91.
9. Jews Accused Mary and Were Cursed
Almighty one god states a list of reasons in the Quran resulting in the divine curse against the jews, including their accusation of fornication against the Virgin Mary:
وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَـٰنًا عَظِيمًۭا
“And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their saying against Mary a great slander.”
To sum up, these 11 Quranic verses portray Mary from her birth and upbringing under Prophet Zechariah to the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus, the accusations against her, and the divine defense through her infant son. The Quran consistently affirms her chastity, piety, and elevated status as a model for all believers.
Read:
10. Quran verses about Mary and Jesus mentioned together
Besides mentioning Mary by name, 5 Quranic verses refer to her by the title of “mother,” combining both her and her son Jesus in one context. Following are these verses about both Mary and Jesus:
A. Mary and Jesus are signs of Almighty God’s Capability
The verse proves the divine miracle of Jesus’ birth and highlights the humanity of both Jesus and his mother by stating their need for food and water:
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُۥٓ ءَايَةًۭ
And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and gave them refuge on high ground—a ˹suitable˺ place for rest with flowing water.(23:50)
B. Jesus is innocent of calling for divinity either for him or for Mary
The Quran stresses the humanity of both Jesus and Mary by mentioning a situation to happen on Judgment Day when Almighty God asks Jesus as condemnation for those who falsely allege his divinity, and setting Jesus’ negation for divinity or calling for it:
وَإِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَـٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ
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?”(5:116)
C. Almighty God has favor on both Mary and Jesus
Almighty God reminds Prophet Jesus of His favors on him and his mother, saying:
إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَتِكَ
And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour upon you and your mother: how I supported you with the holy spirit so you spoke to people in ˹your˺ infancy and adulthood.”(5:110)
D. Mary is a virtuous woman and Jesus is a human Messenger
The Quran states the high but real position of both Mary and Jesus, proving their humanity through their need for food—an attribute contradicting divinity:
مَّا ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُۥ صِدِّيقَةٌۭ
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.(5:57)
E. Both Mary and Jesus are humans restricted to Divine Control
The Quran stresses the divinity of only One God controlling the universe with His sole permission to do whatever He wills:
قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُهْلِكَ ٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُۥ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًۭا ۗ
Indeed, those who say, “Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary,” have fallen into disbelief. Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Who has the power to prevent Allah if He chose to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, his mother, and everyone in the world all together?”(5:17)
Thus, the Quran mentions both Mary by the title of motherhood along with Jesus in five verses, highlighting their humanity and noble position at the same time, beside other verses that refer to Mary by name.
Read also: Mary in the Quran Vs the Bible
Is Mary Mentioned in the Quran as a Prophet?
No, Mary is not a prophet in Islam. Instead, Mary is one of the top four women reaching human perfection and excels millions of men. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Sufficient for you among the women of mankind are Mariam bint ‘Imran [mother of Jesus], Khadijah bint Khuwailid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, and Asiyah the wife of the Pharaoh.”
The Quran highlights that prophethood is restricted to men:
“We did not send ˹messengers˺ before you ˹O Prophet˺ except mere men inspired by Us.”
This is suitable to the heavy responsibilities of conveying the divine message and the outcomes of it.
Read also: Was Mary the Only Woman Mentioned in the Quran?
Does Islam Believe Mary Was a Virgin?
Yes, Mary was a virgin according to the Islamic belief stated in the Quran in verse (66:12):
“who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her ˹womb˺ through Our angel ˹Gabriel˺” referring to the miraculous pregnancy of Virgin Mary by Almighty God’s command to make her womb impregnated without a human sperm.
For more about this topic read this full article: Does Islam Believe Mary Was A Virgin?
Conclusion
To conclude, the Quran presents Mary (Maryam) with unmatched reverence, narrating her journey from birth to motherhood through powerful lessons of faith and divine favor. From her upbringing under Prophet Zechariah’s guardianship to the miraculous conception of Jesus (ʿĪsā), Mary’s story is one of purity, strength, and complete trust in Allah’s decree. Even in the face of hardship and false accusations, she is honored with a miracle—baby Jesus speaking in the cradle to affirm her innocence and dignity.
Across 11 verses that mention her by name and five others where she is called “mother” in connection with her son, the Quran highlights Mary’s devotion, chastity, and steadfastness.
She is set forth as a model for all believers, embodying resilience, piety, and unwavering faith. Truly, no scripture has elevated the Virgin Mary as profoundly as the Quran, making her story a timeless source of guidance and inspiration. To discover more about Mary and Jesus in Islam, start a WhatsApp conversation with our team now!
