Surah Aal-Imran — Verse 44

Word Meanings:

• Anba’ al-Ghayb (أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ): News and reports of the unseen — matters that occurred in the past and were not witnessed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his people.
• Nūhīhi (نُوحِيهِ): We reveal it and convey it to you by divine inspiration.
• Aqlāmahum (أَقْلَامَهُمْ): Their pens — here referring to the arrows or quills they cast as lots to decide who would take guardianship of Maryam.
• Yakfulu (يَكْفُلُ): To take charge of, care for, and raise someone.
• Yakhtasimūn (يَخْتَصِمُونَ): They were disputing and arguing over who had the right to care for her.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O Prophet Muhammad, this story that has just been recounted to you — concerning Zakariyya, Yahya, Maryam, and her miraculous provision — is not something you witnessed with your own eyes, nor did you learn it from the people of the Book. Rather, it is from the news of the unseen, which Allah Himself revealed to you as a divine message, confirming the truth of your prophethood and the authenticity of the revelation you carry.

You were not present, O Muhammad, when the righteous scholars and custodians of the Temple gathered to decide who would take charge of Maryam after her mother dedicated her to the service of Allah. They disagreed and argued among themselves, each one feeling that he was more deserving of this noble responsibility. To settle their dispute, they cast their pens — or their arrows — into the water as a form of drawing lots, and the pen of Zakariyya emerged victorious. Thus, he was chosen to be her guardian, and Allah placed her under his care, where she grew in virtue and devotion.

You were not there when they disputed, and you were not there when they cast their lots — yet you narrate this account with perfect precision. This is clear proof that what you convey is not from your own knowledge or invention, but a revelation from the One who knows all that is hidden and unseen.

Da‘wah Reflection:

How amazing is this verse in its power to strengthen the believer’s heart! The Prophet (peace be upon him) was an unlettered man who never read a scripture nor studied with a teacher, yet he narrated stories of ancient nations with such accuracy that even the People of the Book could not deny their truth. This is a living miracle that calls every sincere seeker to reflect: Who could have taught him these details except the Creator of the heavens and the earth?

And in this story there is a beautiful lesson about trust in Allah. When the righteous disputed over the honor of caring for Maryam, they did not resort to worldly power or personal preference — they turned to Allah and let Him decide through the casting of lots. This teaches us that when matters become unclear, the believer seeks guidance from Allah and submits to His choice with contentment. Moreover, it shows the high status of Maryam — a woman honored by Allah, chosen and purified — and the virtue of those who compete in doing good, not for fame or gain, but for the pleasure of their Lord.

So let this verse increase your certainty in the truth of this Qur’an, and let it inspire you to compete with others in righteousness — for the best competition is not in wealth or status, but in who can serve Allah and His creation with the purest heart.