The Story of Maryam and Al-Masih (`Isa)

After Allah, the Exalted, mentioned the story of Zakariyya, and that He blessed him with a righteous, purified and blessed child even in his old age while his wife was barren, He then mentions the story of Maryam. Allah informs of His granting her a child named `Isa without a father being involved (in her pregnancy). Between these two stories there is an appropriate and similar relationship. Due to their closeness in meaning, Allah mentioned them here together, as well as in Surahs Al `Imran and Al-Anbiya'. Allah has mentioned these stories to show His servants His ability, the might of His authority and that He has power over all things. Allah says,

وَاذْكُرْ فِى الْكِتَـبِ مَرْيَمَ

Commentary

The word انتَبَذَتْ is derived from نَبَذ which means to throw away or to cast away. Hence, the meaning of انتَباَذَ is to withdraw from the crowd. مَكَانًا شَرْ‌قِيًّا denotes that she retired to a secluded corner of the house facing east. The purpose of her shifting to a secluded corner of the house has been differently explained. Some say she had moved there to take a bath, while others say that she had moved as usual to a secluded corner on the eastern side of her place of worship for offering her prayers. Qurtubi has given preference to the second explanation. According to Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ ، this is the reason why the Christians face east when offering their prayers, and revere the eastern direction.