It is narrated that wives of Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and Sayyiduna ‘Imran رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ were real sisters [i.e. Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and Sayyiduna ‘Imran رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ had the same father-in-law]. The name of the wife of Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was Aeesha [اِیشا], whereas the name of the wife of Sayyiduna ‘Imran رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was Hannah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا. Sayyidatuna Hannah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا remained childless for a very long time, to the extent that she became old and felt hopeless. One day, Sayyidatuna Hannah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا saw a sparrow under the shade of a tree who was feeding its baby sparrow. Seeing this rose the urge of having offspring in her heart and she supplicated in the court of Allah Almighty that ‘O Allah Almighty! If You bless me with offspring, I will make him the servant of Bayt-ul-Muqaddas and will present him for this very service.’

In that era, only boys were accepted for serving Bayt-ul-Muqaddas and girls were not deemed to be capable of it. When she رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا vowed this oath, then Sayyiduna ‘Imran رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ became extremely worried. That’s why he said, ‘What have you done? If a girl is born, then how would she be able to do this?’ Sayyiduna ‘Imran رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ passed away before the birth of his child.

(Tafseer Khaazin, Aal-e-‘Imran, Taht-al-Ayah: 35, vol. 1, pp. 244; summarised)

Look at the majesty of Allah Almighty that a girl was born instead of a boy. Upon this, Sayyidatuna Hannah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا expressed grief. She was grieved and wistful because a daughter was born and she was now unable to fulfil her vow. However, Allah Almighty showered special bounties upon her. Sayyidatuna Maryam رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا was superior to all her contemporary women of the world and was blessed with the honour of being the mother of Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. (Tafseer Baghawi, Aal-e-‘Imran, Taht-al-Ayah: 36, vol. 1, pp. 227)

Allah Almighty accepted Sayyidatuna Maryam رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا instead of a boy as an offering (نذر) and brought her up in an excellent manner. It happened like this after her (Sayyidatuna Maryam’s) birth, Sayyidatuna Hannah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا wrapped her in a piece of cloth and presented her to the scholars of Bayt-ul-Muqaddas so that they could take her into their guardianship. Those scholars were considered to be extremely reverend and respectful. Those scholars