Page 23 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman

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same—"and I have named her Mary and placed her and her children in
Your safekeeping from satan, the accursed." (Surah Al 'Imran: 35-36)
The Arabic word muharreren, translated here as devoted [to Your ser-
vice], means "preoccupied only with the Hereafter and having no inter-
est in the world, in the service of Allah's temple, worshipping in great
devotion, one whose worship is not tainted by worldly aims." 1
True freedom can be attained only by serving Allah, surrendering
to Him, and freeing oneself from all service to any other beings or val-
ues. This is what 'Imran's wife prayed for when dedicating Mary to
Allah, for she wished her daughter to be someone who served only
Allah and who did not seek her people's or society's acceptance.
Right after Mary's birth, her mother turned toward Allah, sought
His good pleasure, and asked Him to protect Mary, as well as her chil-
dren, from satan's evil. Allah accepted this wholehearted prayer "and
made her [Mary] grow in health and beauty" (Surah Al 'Imran: 37). In

other words, Mary received the best upbringing and the most superior
character.
Mary's mother's wholehearted faith in Allah, acceptance of only
Allah as her mentor, constant turning toward Him, and her genuine sur-
render to Him are very important examples upon which all believers
should reflect.

Allah Commissions the Prophet

Zacharia (pbuh) with Educating Mary

Allah gave the Prophet Zacharia (pbuh) sincere faith and exalted
him, and guided him to the righteous path. Allah compliments him and
tells us about his devotion, his proper fear and respect of Him, and his
superior character:

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)