Page 19 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman

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The Nature of Her Society

ccording to historical sources, Allah
honored Mary, who lived approximate-
ly two millennia ago, with the birth of
the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). She was one
of the chosen women on Earth as well as
in the Hereafter. Born in Roman-occu-

pied Palestine, she was a Jewess and
lived in the Jewish community.
Idolatry was Rome's state religion. The Jews, once a na-
tion preferred by Allah "over all other beings" (Surat al-
Baqara: 47), had altered His religion, adopted false beliefs,
rebelled against Allah's commands, and were no longer
grateful for His gifts to them. Some of them even martyred
the Prophets sent to them by the grace of Allah, because they
did not like the commands that these exalted men conveyed.
The Qur'an reveals their transgressions:
We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel and sent
Messengers to them. Each time a Messenger came to them
with something their lower selves did not desire, they de-
nied some and they murdered others. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 70)