Islam and Mary, Maryam in the Quran

Mary in Islam (Maryam) holds a unique place: she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, which devotes an entire surah to her (Surah 19, Maryam). She is considered the most virtuous of women and the mother of one of the great prophets, Jesus (Isa). For the full article, see Islam and Mary.

Mary in the Quran

The Quran mentions Mary in 34 verses from 11 surahs. It affirms her virginity, the Annunciation by the Angel, the virginal birth of Jesus beneath a palm tree in the desert, and her sinless purity. It omits, however, Mary’s divine motherhood (Islam rejects the divinity of Jesus) and her relation to the Redemption.

Convergences and divergences

Convergences: the virginity of Mary, angelic Annunciation, miraculous birth, exemplary holiness, Mary’s role as mother of an extraordinary prophet. Fundamental divergences: Islam rejects the divinity of Jesus, and therefore Mary cannot be “Mother of God”. The Theotokos is the irreducible point of rupture.

Dialogue and pilgrimage

At Marian shrines such as Fatima and Lourdes, Muslim pilgrims come to venerate Mary. This little-known phenomenon opens possibilities for interreligious dialogue. The Vatican document Nostra Aetate (1965) mentions the Islamic veneration of Mary as a point of contact.

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Magisterium of the Church

The Church also looks with esteem upon the Muslims who adore the one God. They do not confess Jesus as God, but they venerate Him as a prophet and honor His virgin mother Mary.

Second Vatican Council, Decl. Nostra Aetate, n. 3 (28 October 1965)

📚 Literal translation: The Church also looks with appreciation upon the Muslims who adore the one God. Although they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they venerate Him as a prophet and honor His mother, the Virgin Mary.