The name Mary, and how it is used in the Koran

The role that Mary has played in the history of religion is a topic that can be debated. According to the Koran, the only importance of Mary, is that she is undisputedly the mother of Jesus. Also, the only proper name of a woman to be used in the Koran, is the name, Mary (Maryam). However, she has never been referred to as the Virgin Mary in either the Bible or the Koran.1 This is significant in comparing and contrasting some of the importance of this woman and her son to Christianity and Islam religions.

The woman known as Mary, is a name that many religions of the world honor. She was born to Anna, the wife of ‘Imran and when she was born her mother Anna prayed to God:2

O my Lord, I vow to thee what is in my belly

dedicated (to thy service); accept (it) from me

verily thou art one who hears and knows.”3

After she had made this vow to God, she was then confused when He gave a female child. She did not understand how greatness was to come from a female child.

As written in the third sura of the Koran, Mary was raised in a way which was devoted to serving God. She worshiped in the temple, just as her mother promised she would if God would allow her to have this special child. It is said that Mary was assisted by ang

. . .

View the whole essay, without interruption

This proves that Syrian Christians had contact with the Islamic faith, allowing them to blend cultures, language, and knowledge. ”16

Monophysite Christians, which are prominent in Ethiopian and Coptic churches, have a certain one-sided view towards Jesus. els throughout her childhood, and the Islamic religion regarded her as sinless. The phrase, Son of Mary, appears in both the Bible and the Koran, and is used by both Christians and Muslims today in an honourable way. This Nycian view also was the official religion of the Byzantine Empire, which helped to make this view a more commonly excepted one. 9 The Muslims believe that Jesus was not divine, but they do feel he was a prophet worthy of their respect and worship. 15

Another debate about the use of the phrase Son of Mary, deals with the fact that it is mentioned in the book of Mark, chapter 6, verse 3. The Muslims, unlike the Jews, do not have such harsh and negative views towards Jesus, and this is one of the main reasons why Parrinder feels that the term is used in a honorable way.

Some feel that the primary message that is delivered by the Koran to Muslims is that the term Son of Mary is used in a negative way.

Approximate Word count = 1860
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.