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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Portraits of Youths in Quran and the History of Islam Maryam A Pious Young Lady Who Became The Leader Of All The Women Of The World Imran was the son of Mathan, who was from the progeny of Sulaiman son of Dawood (a.s). The children of Mathan and especially Imran were among the leading religious scholars of Bani Israel. They were residing in Baitul Maqdas. Imran’s wife was Hannah. Both grew old but remained issueless.

They wished so earnestly to have children who would keep their memory alive after them and who would continue their holy progeny further. One day Hannah was sitting under a tree. She saw that a female bird was feeding her chick. This aroused in her the female instinct of becoming a loving mother. She exclaimed, “Would that I too had a child whom I would have fed in my lap with affection.” At that moment she prayed to God in full earnestness and humility, “My Lord!

Grant me a child through Your bountiful grace, whom if granted I will dedicate to serve the Baitul Maqdas.” It was a custom in those days to seek children from God and when granted to entrust the newborns to the trustees of Baitul Maqdas. This made their parents free from their responsibility of caring, training and nourishing.

After reaching the age of puberty such children were free either to continue serving Baitul Maqdas or to lead a life of their own choice in the society, and to look after their parents like common people. Such dedication was only in case of male children, not for daughters, because after puberty, girls have menses, which debarred them from the house of God. So female children were excepted. Almighty Allah answered Hannah’s prayer whereupon she became pregnant despite old age.

But before delivery Imran passed away. The pious lady was extremely sorrowful due to the death of her dear husband and was feeling lonely and helpless. One day she raised her hands towards the sky and prayed to God, “My Lord! I will give away the child in my womb to serve the House of God. Please accept my prayer, as You are the Hearer, the Knower.” After some time when the child was born it was found that God had granted her a daughter instead of a son. So she again exclaimed, “My Lord!

You have granted me a daughter. Your will is always meaningful.