How the Qur'an describes the upbringing of Mary, the Annunciation, and the virgin birth of Jesus — drawn chiefly from Surah Maryam (19) and Surah Al Imran (3).
In the Qur'an, Mary (Maryam) is described as a woman of extraordinary purity and devotion. Her mother had dedicated her, before birth, to the service of God. She was raised under the guardianship of the prophet Zakariyya (Zechariah) in the sanctuary, where he would find her miraculously provided with food.
"And [mention] when the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.'"
Qur'an 3:42Surah 19 of the Qur'an is titled Maryam in her honor — the only chapter in the Qur'an named after a woman. Islamic tradition holds her to be one of the most righteous women in all of creation, alongside figures such as Asiyah (wife of Pharaoh), Khadijah, and Fatimah.
According to the Qur'an, Mary withdrew to a private place to the east when the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to her in the form of "a well-proportioned man." Startled, she sought refuge in God from him, upon which he explained that he was a messenger sent to announce a son.
"He said, 'I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy.' She 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."'"
Qur'an 19:19–21This exchange is central to the Islamic understanding of the virgin birth: it is presented as a deliberate, singular miracle — a "sign to humanity" — rather than evidence that Jesus shares in God's nature. The Qur'an is emphatic that his creation without a father parallels the creation of Adam without either parent.
"Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was."
Qur'an 3:59The Qur'an describes God "breathing" His spirit into Mary, or into her garment, as the means by which the pregnancy occurred — a direct divine act, not a biological union.
"And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds."
Qur'an 21:91Mary withdrew to a remote, eastern place to give birth alone, away from her people. In her labor pains, she is described as wishing she had died before this and been forgotten. God comforted her, providing a stream of water beneath her and ripe dates from a palm tree she was told to shake.
"So he called her from below her, 'Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.'"
Qur'an 19:24–25When Mary returned carrying the infant, her people accused her of unchastity, invoking the righteousness of her family lineage. In response, she pointed to the baby. To their astonishment, the infant Jesus spoke from the cradle, defending his mother's honor and declaring his own prophethood.
"He said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant.'"
Qur'an 19:30–32This event — speech from the cradle — is regarded in Islam as the first of Jesus' miracles, occurring before he had even begun to grow, and it immediately establishes two pillars of the Islamic view of him: that he is a servant of God, and that he is a prophet.