Mary in a moment of pain

When we read about great historical figures, we usually see how strong they were and forget that they, too, had to go through moments full of fear and pain. Yet, the Quran takes us to one of the most difficult moments that Mary experienced in her life: the moment of childbirth. She was all alone, far from her family, carrying within her the dread of the pain to come and the fear of facing her own people.
The Quran says: “Then the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish that I had died before this and was a thing in oblivion, utterly forgotten!" ” [Maryam: 23].
These few words reveal the magnitude of the anguish she was going through. Then came a call of reassurance: “Do not grieve; your Lord has placed a stream beneath you. And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you; it will drop upon you fresh, ripe dates. So eat and drink and let your eye be gladdened” [Maryam: 24–26].
Do not grieve; eat, drink, and be at peace. These are but simple words, which however came at a moment when pain was much greater than words. Perhaps this is why the story of Mary remains so close to the heart; not only does it recount a miracle but it also tells of a human being who went through fear and suffering, yet found Allah’s mercy in the most painful hour.