Mary (Maryam in Arabic) is the only woman mentioned in the Quran by her name, and an entire Surah is named after her. Women are referred to several times throughout the Noble Quran. The Quran mentions women 1372 times, with different contexts, referring to their significance in Islam as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, maternal aunt and paternal aunt. They are mentioned in the context of maternity, inheritance, marriage, divorce, social status, modesty piety and evil.
We will discuss here why Mary is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and other referrals to women in the Quran.
Mary is the Only Woman Mentioned By Name in the Quran
The only woman mentioned by name in the Quran is Mary. The Quran mentions Mary as a symbol of piety, chastity, patience and submission.
˹There is˺ also ˹the example of˺ Mary, the daughter of ’Imrân, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her ˹womb˺ through Our angel ˹Gabriel˺.1 She testified to the words of her Lord and His Scriptures, and was one of the ˹sincerely˺ devout.
Her remarkable life is highlighted from her first breaths symbolising her role as a devoted servant to Allah Almighty and the miraculous power of Allah. The supplication of Mary’s mother, the Divine acceptance and support, being the chosen one, and holding the miraculous birth of Jesus are among the significant events of her life.
1. The Supplication of Mary’s Mother
While giving birth to Mary, her mother asked Allah to accept her and protect her from the devil. Like mother, like daughter! Her mother’s piety guided her girl throughout her life.
“When she delivered, she said, “My Lord! I have given birth to a girl,”—and Allah fully knew what she had delivered—“and the male is not like the female. I have named her Mary, and I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the accursed.”
2. The Divine Acceptance and Support
Allah brought up Mary under His watchful Eye and selected her for His service. Mary devoted herself to the worship of Allah. Out-of-season fruits is a sign of her special divine support status.
“So her Lord accepted her graciously and blessed her with a pleasant upbringing—entrusting her to the care of Zachariah. Whenever Zachariah visited her in the sanctuary, he found her supplied with provisions. He exclaimed, “O Mary! Where did this come from?” She replied, “It is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wills without limit.”
Mary is mentioned in the context of the prophets. This emphasizes her elevated status among women and her important role in the prophethood of Jesus, the Messiah.
“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.1 See how We make the signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded ˹from the truth˺!”
3. Mary is the chosen one
The Quran presents Mary as a woman chosen by Allah above all other women.
“And ˹remember˺ when the angels said, “O Mary! Surely Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all women of the world.”
4. Mary and the Miraculous Birth of Jesus
This pure chaste virgin woman becomes pregnant with no biological father. This brave pious woman accepted her divine role with patience.
“˹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˺.”
“And remember in the Scripture Mary, when she secluded herself from her family in an eastern location. 17 And she took a cover for herself away from them, and We sent to her Our Spirit, so He appeared to her as a human being in perfect shape.18 She said, “I seek refuge from you with the All-Merciful, if you are mindful (of God).” He said, “I am only a messenger of your Lord to grant you a pure boy.” She said, “How can I have a boy when no human being has touched me, nor have I ever been a harlot?”21 He said, “Thus said your Lord, `It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign for humanity and a mercy from Us, and it has been a matter already decreed.’
This wise strong woman, by trusting Allah, chose isolation and faced social stigma due to her miraculous pregnancy.
”22 So she carried him and secluded herself with him in a remote place.”
Others Referral to Women in the Quran
The Quran refers to other women’s stories without mentioning their names to focus on the main objective of their stories. It is about the context and moral lessons deduced from their stories and not about their names. This is to encourage all women to choose their role models and be a good example in their society through their submission to Allah Almighty. The Quran refers to some pious and evil women to show that women constitute a cornerstone in every community.
1- Pious Women Mentioned in the Quran
Among the good examples are the wife of Pharaoh, the wife of the Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him), and the mother of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him).
A. The Wife of Pharaoh
“And Allah sets forth an example for the believers: the wife of Pharaoh, who prayed, “My Lord! Build me a house in Paradise near You, deliver me from Pharaoh and his ˹evil˺ doing, and save me from the wrongdoing people.”
B. The Wife of the Prophet Ibrahim
“And surely Our messenger-angels came to Abraham with good news ˹of a son˺. … he became suspicious and fearful of them.1 They reassured ˹him˺, “Do not be afraid! … And his wife was standing by, so she laughed,1 then We gave her good news of ˹the birth of˺ Isaac, and, after him, Jacob. She wondered, “Oh, my! How can I have a child in this old age, and my husband here is an old man? This is truly an astonishing thing! They responded, “Are you astonished by Allah’s decree? May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you, O people of this house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.”
C. The Mother of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him)
“We inspired the mother of Moses: “Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you, and make him one of the messengers.”
2. Evil Women Mentioned in the Quran
Among the bad examples are the wife of the Emperor of Egypt, the wife of Abu Lahab, the wife of the Prophet Lot and the wife of the Prophet Noah.
A. The Wife of the Emperor of Egypt
“Some women of the city gossiped, “The Chief Minister’s wife is trying to seduce her slave-boy. Love for him has plagued her heart. Indeed, we see that she is clearly mistaken.”
B. The Wife of Abu Lahab
“May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and he ˹himself˺ perish! Neither his wealth nor ˹worldly˺ gains will benefit him. He will burn in a flaming Fire, and ˹so will˺ his wife, the carrier of ˹thorny˺ kindling, around her neck will be a rope of palm-fibre.”
C. The Wife of the Prophet Lot and The Wife of the Prophet Noah
Allah sets forth an example for the disbelievers: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. Each was married to one of Our righteous servants, yet betrayed them.1 So their husbands were of no benefit to them against Allah whatsoever. Both were told, “Enter the Fire, along with the others!”
Conclusion
Women’s significance in Islam is highlighted throughout the Quran and Sunnah. Being the symbol of piety, purity, patience and submission, Lady Mary is the only woman mentioned in the Quran by her name, and an entire Surah is named after her. After knowing why Mary is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and other referrals to women in the Quran, I invite you to read the Surah Maryam in the Noble Quran for a detailed account of Mary’s life. May Allah help us in following Mary’s footsteps in chastity, piety, patience and trust in Allah.
