Sūrah 19 · Meccan

How Sūrah Maryam was revealed.

Where and when it came down, what it teaches, and the hadith about it — all on one calm page.

Read Maryam → The revelation story
Where revealed Meccan

Revealed in the Meccan period, before the migration to Madīnah.

Order of revelation #44

Its place in the traditional order in which the sūrahs were revealed.

Length 98 ayahs

6 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Makkan surah is a powerful defense of Maryam’s honour, refuting both slander (from some Jews) and deification (by some Christians). It affirms the miraculous birth of ʿĪsā (Jesus) while rejecting any deification of him. It details the miracles of Zakariyyā and ʿĪsā, while strongly emphasizing Allah's description as al-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful) – a name the polytheists vehemently rejected – and affirming the reality of the Resurrection. It presents the prophetic lineage of the House of ʿImrān as models of devotion, sincerity, and perseverance.

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah is a powerful defense of Maryam’s honour, refuting both slander (from some Jews) and deification (by some Christians). It affirms the miraculous birth of ʿĪsā (Jesus) while rejecting any deification of him. It details the miracles of Zakariyyā and ʿĪsā, while strongly emphasizing Allah's description as al-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful) – a name the polytheists vehemently rejected – and affirming the reality of the Resurrection. It presents the prophetic lineage of the House of ʿImrān as models of devotion, sincerity, and perseverance.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan according to most scholars. Claims of Madinan exceptions (like 58 or 71) are uncompelling.

Time: It has been counted as the 44th surah in the order of revelation (in the chronology of Jābir ibn Zayd), revealed after Sūrat Fāṭir and before Ṭā-Hā.

Context: Since Sūrat Ṭā-Hā was revealed before the before the conversion of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (who converted upon reading part of it), Sūrat Maryam must also have been revealed early in Makkah, probably in the 4th year of Prophethood.

Name and Ayah Count:

Names: The surah’s established name is "Sūrat Maryam." It is named for the extensive detail given to the story of Maryam, her son, and her family, making it the first to do so, before Sūrat Āl ʿImrān which was revealed in Madinah. It has also been called "Sūrat Kāf-Hā-Yā-ʿAyn-Ṣād" by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās and in the most important manuscripts of Sahih al-Bukhari, based on its opening letters.

Ayah Count: 99 ayahs (Madīnah/Makkah) or 98 (Shām/Kūfah).

Surah Overview:

  • Opening with the disjointed letters and then framing the surah as an account of divine mercy, setting the tone that what follows is rooted in mercy. [1-2; also see: 18, 21, 26, 44, 45, 50, 53, 58, 61, 69, 75, 78, 85, 87, 88, 91, 92, 93, 96]
  • Detailing the miracle of the Prophet Zakariyyā being granted his son Yaḥyā (John the Baptist) in old age. [2-15],
  • Refuting Jewish slander by establishing the purity and sanctity of Mary and her family, the House of Amram (Āl ʿImrān), and the miraculous speech of Jesus in the cradle. [16-33]
  • Clarifying the truth about Jesus (pbuh) and rejecting claims of “sonship”, followed by a warning to those who differed about him. [34-40]
  • Praising the prophets Ibrāhīm, Isḥāq, Yaʿqūb, Mūsā, Hārūn, Ismāʿīl, and Idrīs as models of righteousness. [41-58]
  • The contrast of these righteous exemplars with later generations who neglected prayer and followed desires; yet the door of repentance and Divine Favor remains open. [59-63]
  • The angels are subject to God’s absolute lordship. [64–65]
  • Refuting denial of resurrection and an intense scene from the Hereafter. [66–72]
  • A rebuttal of those deluded by status and wealth. [73–80]
  • Warning of the destruction that befell past nations. [74, 98]
  • Promising the Messenger (ﷺ) victory over his enemies. [75, 77]
  • Warning the disbelievers that their idols will bring them regret and will abandon them. [81-84]
  • A climactic condemnation of attributing a son to Allah. [88–95]
  • The status of the Quran and that it is a glad tidings for the believers and a warning to those who deny it. [96–98]
  • The theme of divine mercy and God’s Name, al-Raḥmān, permeates the surah. 

Sūrah background — via the Quran Foundation Content API. Shown as supplied by the provider. We do not edit, summarise or generate it.

Hadith about this sūrah

What the hadith say.

These 13 narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī are connected to specific āyāt of this sūrah — a linkage reviewed by the Quran Foundation. Open any one to read it in full, in Arabic and English.

  1. Relates to āyah39
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4730

    حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ يُؤْتَى بِالْمَوْتِ كَهَيْئَةِ كَبْشٍ أَمْلَحَ فَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ، فَيَشْرَئِبُّونَ وَيَنْظُرُونَ فَيَقُولُ هَلْ تَعْرِفُونَ هَذَا فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ هَذَا الْمَوْتُ، وَكُلُّهُمْ قَدْ رَآهُ، ثُمَّ يُنَادِي يَا أَهْلَ النَّارِ، فَيَشْرَئِبُّونَ وَيَنْظُرُونَ، فَيَقُولُ هَلْ تَعْرِفُونَ هَذَا فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ هَذَا الْمَوْتُ، وَكُلُّهُمْ قَدْ رَآهُ، فَيُذْبَحُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ، خُلُودٌ فَلاَ مَوْتَ، وَيَا أَهْلَ النَّارِ، خُلُودٌ فَلاَ مَوْتَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏﴿‏وَأَنْذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِيَ الأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ‏﴾‏ وَهَؤُلاَءِ فِي غَفْلَةٍ أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا ‏﴿‏وَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ‏﴾‏‏"‏

    Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "On the Day of Resurrection Death will be brought forward in the shape of a black and white ram. Then a call maker will call, 'O people of Paradise!' Thereupon they will stretch their necks and look carefully. The caller will say, 'Do you know this?' They will say, 'Yes, this is Death.' By then all of them will have seen it. Then it will be announced again, 'O people of Hell !' They will stretch their necks and look carefully. The caller will say, 'Do you know this?' They will say, 'Yes, this is Death.' And by then all of them will have seen it. Then it (that ram) will be slaughtered and the caller will say, 'O people of Paradise! Eternity for you and no death O people of Hell! Eternity for you and no death."' Then the Prophet, recited:-- 'And warn them of the Day of distress when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness (i.e. the people of the world) and they do not believe.' (19.39)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

  2. Relates to āyah41–42
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2091

    حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي الضُّحَى، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ خَبَّابٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ قَيْنًا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، وَكَانَ لِي عَلَى الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ دَيْنٌ، فَأَتَيْتُهُ أَتَقَاضَاهُ قَالَ لاَ أُعْطِيكَ حَتَّى تَكْفُرَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ لاَ أَكْفُرُ حَتَّى يُمِيتَكَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ تُبْعَثَ‏.‏ قَالَ دَعْنِي حَتَّى أَمُوتَ وَأُبْعَثَ، فَسَأُوتَى مَالاً وَوَلَدًا فَأَقْضِيَكَ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏[quran sura="19" aya_start="77" aya_end="80"]{‏أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا * أَطَّلَعَ الْغَيْبَ أَمِ اتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ عَهْدًا ‏}‏

    Narrated Khabbab: I was a blacksmith in the Pre-Islamic period, and 'Asi bin Wail owed me some money, so I went to him to demand it. He said (to me), "I will not pay you unless you disbelieve Muhammad." I said, "I will not disbelieve till Allah kills you and then you get resurrected." He said, "Leave me till I die and get resurrected, then I will be given wealth and children and I will pay you your debt." On that occasion it was revealed to the Prophet: 'Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our signs and says: Surely I will be given wealth and children? Has he known the unseen, or has he taken a covenant from the Beneficent (Allah)? (19.77- 78)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4733

    حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي الضُّحَى، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ خَبَّابٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ قَيْنًا بِمَكَّةَ، فَعَمِلْتُ لِلْعَاصِي بْنِ وَائِلِ السَّهْمِيِّ سَيْفًا، فَجِئْتُ أَتَقَاضَاهُ فَقَالَ لاَ أُعْطِيكَ حَتَّى تَكْفُرَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ‏.‏ قُلْتُ لاَ أَكْفُرُ بِمُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى يُمِيتَكَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ يُحْيِيَكَ‏.‏ قَالَ إِذَا أَمَاتَنِي اللَّهُ ثُمَّ بَعَثَنِي، وَلِي مَالٌ وَوَلَدٌ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ‏﴿‏أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا * أَطَّلَعَ الْغَيْبَ أَمِ اتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ عَهْدًا‏﴾‏‏.‏ قَالَ مَوْثِقًا‏.‏ لَمْ يَقُلِ الأَشْجَعِيُّ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ سَيْفًا وَلاَ مَوْثِقًا‏.‏

    Narrated Khabbab: I was a blacksmith in Mecca Once I made a sword for Al-`Asi bin Wail As-Sahmi. When I went to demand its price, he said, "I will not give it to you till you disbelieve in Muhammad." I said, "I shall not disbelieve in Muhammad till Allah make you die and then bring you to life again." He said, "If Allah should make me die and then resurrect me and I would have wealth and children." So Allah revealed:-- 'Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our Signs, and (yet) says I shall certainly be given wealth and children? Has he known the unseen or has he taken a covenant from (Allah) the Beneficent?' (19.77- 78)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

  3. Relates to āyah41
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2275

    حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَبَّابٌ، قَالَ كُنْتُ رَجُلاً قَيْنًا فَعَمِلْتُ لِلْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ فَاجْتَمَعَ لِي عِنْدَهُ فَأَتَيْتُهُ أَتَقَاضَاهُ فَقَالَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقْضِيكَ حَتَّى تَكْفُرَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ ثُمَّ تُبْعَثَ فَلاَ‏.‏ قَالَ وَإِنِّي لَمَيِّتٌ ثُمَّ مَبْعُوثٌ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ لِي ثَمَّ مَالٌ وَوَلَدٌ فَأَقْضِيكَ‏.‏ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا‏﴾‏

    Narrated Khabbab: I was a blacksmith and did some work for Al-`As bin Wail. When he owed me some money for my work, I went to him to ask for that amount. He said, "I will not pay you unless you disbelieve in Muhammad." I said, "By Allah! I will never do that till you die and be resurrected." He said, "Will I be dead and then resurrected after my death?" I said, "Yes." He said, "There I will have property and offspring and then I will pay you your due." Then Allah revealed. 'Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our signs, and yet says: I will be given property and offspring?' (19.77)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2425

    حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، حَدَّثَنَا وَهْبُ بْنُ جَرِيرِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي الضُّحَى، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ خَبَّابٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ قَيْنًا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَكَانَ لِي عَلَى الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ دَرَاهِمُ، فَأَتَيْتُهُ أَتَقَاضَاهُ فَقَالَ لاَ أَقْضِيكَ حَتَّى تَكْفُرَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ، فَقُلْتُ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَكْفُرُ بِمُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى يُمِيتَكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثَكَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَدَعْنِي حَتَّى أَمُوتَ ثُمَّ أُبْعَثَ فَأُوتَى مَالاً وَوَلَدًا، ثُمَّ أَقْضِيَكَ‏.‏ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏﴿‏أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا‏﴾‏ الآيَةَ‏.‏

    Narrated Khabbab: I was a blacksmith In the Pre-Islamic period of ignorance, and 'Asi bin Wail owed me some money. I went to him to demand it, but he said to me, "I will not pay you unless you reject faith in Muhammad." I replied, "By Allah, I will never disbelieve Muhammad till Allah let you die and then resurrect you." He said, "Then wait till I die and come to life again, for then I will be given property and offspring and will pay your right." So, thus revelation came: "Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our signs and yet says, 'I will be given property and offspring?' " (19.77)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4732

    حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي الضُّحَى، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ خَبَّابًا، قَالَ جِئْتُ الْعَاصِيَ بْنَ وَائِلٍ السَّهْمِيَّ أَتَقَاضَاهُ حَقًّا لِي عِنْدَهُ، فَقَالَ لاَ أُعْطِيكَ حَتَّى تَكْفُرَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ فَقُلْتُ لاَ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ ثُمَّ تُبْعَثَ‏.‏ قَالَ وَإِنِّي لَمَيِّتٌ ثُمَّ مَبْعُوثٌ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنَّ لِي هُنَاكَ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا فَأَقْضِيكَهُ، فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏﴿‏أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا‏﴾‏ رَوَاهُ الثَّوْرِيُّ وَشُعْبَةُ وَحَفْصٌ وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ وَوَكِيعٌ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ‏.‏

    Narrated Khabbab: I came to Al-`Asi bin Wail As-Sahmi and demanded something which he owed me. He said, "I will not give you (your money) till you disbelieve in Muhammad." I said, "No, I shall not disbelieve in Muhammad till you die and then be resurrected." He said, "Will I die and then be resurrected?" I said, 'Yes'. He said', "Then I will have wealth and children there, and I will pay you (there)." So this Verse was revealed:-- 'Have you then seen him who disbelieved in Our Signs and (yet) says: I shall certainly be given wealth and children? (19.77)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4734

    حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الضُّحَى، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ خَبَّابٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ قَيْنًا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، وَكَانَ لِي دَيْنٌ عَلَى الْعَاصِي بْنِ وَائِلٍ قَالَ فَأَتَاهُ يَتَقَاضَاهُ، فَقَالَ لاَ أُعْطِيكَ حَتَّى تَكْفُرَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَكْفُرُ حَتَّى يُمِيتَكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ تُبْعَثَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَذَرْنِي حَتَّى أَمُوتَ ثُمَّ أُبْعَثَ، فَسَوْفَ أُوتَى مَالاً وَوَلَدًا، فَأَقْضِيكَ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏﴿‏أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَدًا‏﴾

    Narrated Masruq: Khabbab said, "During the pre-lslamic period, I was a blacksmith and Al-Asi bin Wail owed me a debt." So Khabbab went to him to demand the debt. He said, "I will not give you (your due) till you disbelieve in Muhammad." Khabbab said, "By Allah, I shall not disbelieve in Muhammad till Allah makes you die and then resurrects you." Al-Asi said, "So leave me till I die and then be resurrected, for I will be given wealth and children whereupon I will pay you your debt." So this Verse was revealed:-- 'Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our Signs and, (yet) says: I shall certainly be given wealth and children.' (19.77)

    Open at Sunnah.com →

The link between each āyah and these narrations is the Quran Foundation's reviewed reference map. The wording is reproduced verbatim from a public-domain edition of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and is not edited, summarised or generated; every narration also opens at Sunnah.com so it can be checked against another copy.

Learning to pray as you read? How to pray step by step, how to perform wuḍūʾ, and how many rakʿahs each prayer has.