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 were total 27 in numbers. They were from the descendants of Sayyiduna Haroon عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and were appointed at serving the Bayt-ul-Muqaddas. Sayyidatuna Maryam رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا was the daughter of Sayyiduna ‘Imran               رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ who was a prominent scholar among those scholars. Moreover, her family was also an extremely illustrious and learned family in Bani Israel. That’s why all those scholars showed a keen interest in adopting Sayyidatuna Maryam رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا. Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said, ‘I am most deserving of it because her aunt (mother’s sister) is in my house.’

After arguments and discussions with each other, they all agreed to draw lots to come to a decision. Therefore, they drew lots through the pens they used to write Taurah (تورات شریف) with. It was mutually agreed that everyone should place his pen in water. The one whose pen starts flowing in the opposite direction of the flow of water, he will be deserving of the guardianship.