Mary... a woman chosen by Allah

You may have heard of Mary from the Nativity story, or perhaps you have come across her name since you were a child. But do you know what the Quran says of her? The Quran does not begin her story with controversies or disputes between different religious faiths; it rather begins by honoring her and underscoring the importance she holds in the sight of Allah.
Allah, exalted be He, says: “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds Al-Imran: 42
These are but a few words, however they have a deep meaning: selection, purity, and a special status among all women of the worlds. In the Quran, Mary is not merely a name that is mentioned casually; she is a woman known for her faith, her devotion, and her truthfulness – so much so that an entire chapter of the Quran bears her name: Surah Maryam.
Remarkably enough, when the Quran tells her story, it does not do so by presenting her as a figure that is distant from the human experience, but rather as a woman who lived through faith, fear, trials, and trust in Allah. You may already know her story, but the Quran invites you to hear it again – just as it tells it