Prayers in Story of Mary

IQNA – Prayers play a significant role in Tarbiyah (development of character and the training of people in different aspects) and even much more so when performed by pious and virtuous people.

Use of prayers and supplications is emphasized in Quranic Tarbiyah.

The issue of prayers is such an extensive and broad issue in Islam that one can consider it a culture that had many blessings and positive outcomes in people’s lives.

Prayers have many spiritual benefits and strengthen one’s relationship with God.

In the Holy Quran, God says that people’s value is in proportion to their prayers: “Say: My Lord would not care for you were it not for your prayer; but you have indeed rejected (the truth), so that which shall cleave shall come” (Verse 77 of Surah Al-Furqan)

Prayer enhances one’s self-awareness and helps him purify his self from evils, remember God, remember his duties, and pay attention to and seek harmony with the system of creation.

Prayer both gives us peace of mind and encourages us to strive more in line with social commitments and personal responsibilities.

Prayer has a special role in the story of Mary (SA). For example, her mother’s prayer is answered by God: “Remember when Imran's wife prayed to her Lord saying, ‘I have made a vow to dedicate to Your service whatever is in my womb. Lord, accept it from me. You are All-hearing and All-knowing.’” (Verse 35 of Surah Al Imran)

Her mother also prayed for her and her descendants to be safe from Satan: “When the baby was born she said, ‘Lord, it is a female.’ God knew this. Male and female are not alike. ‘I have named her Mary. I pray that You will keep her and her offspring safe from Satan, the condemned one.’” (Verse 36 of Surah Al Imran)