Was Maryam Protected From Sinning?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
Was Maryam divinely protected from sinning?
Answer
I pray you are well.
No, Maryam was not divinely protected from sinning. This type of protection (‘Isma) is only for the Prophets (peace and blessing be on them all), and she was not a prophet.
‘Isma entails that they are protected from committing any forbidden action, both before and after revelation comes to them.
Maryam was a Siddiqa, someone with the highest rank of sainthood, as is mentioned in the Quran: “The Messiah, the son of Mary, was nothing but a Messenger. Messengers before him have passed. His mother was one of supremely truthful (Siddiqa). They both ate food…” (Quran, 5:75)
Some saints have a degree of protection from Allah, which is known as Hifz. This means that Allah generally prevents them from sinning, but it’s not necessary, and they could fall into a sin if Allah wills. Prophets do not sin in any situation. (Bajuri, Tuhfa al-Murid)
Saints, however, hasten to repent from sin, and they actively scrutinize their actions lest any contraventions of the Shari‘a enter their lives.
May Allah grant us the ability to do the same.
Related Links:
- Ustadha Zaynab Ansari on Women of the Qur’an: Maryam
- Maryam: Blessed Mother & Child
- The fathers of Sayyidna Musa and Sayyidatna Maryam
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
