Mary and Hagar in Islam: Prominence and Reverence in Tradition and Ritual

In Islam, who is more prominent, Mary, the mother of Jesus, or Hagar, the mother of Ishmael?

In Islam, both Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, hold significant and respected positions, but their prominence is contextual and varies in different aspects of Islamic tradition.

1. Mary in Islam: Mary is highly revered in Islam and is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran. She has an entire chapter (Surah) named after her, that is Surah Maryam (Chapter 19). She is celebrated for her piety, chastity, and the miraculous birth of Jesus. Maryam is often cited as an example of virtue and is one of the most honored women in Islamic tradition.

2. Hagar in Islam: Hagar is also a revered figure, especially for her role in the story of Prophet Abraham. Her search for water for her son Ishmael in the desert is commemorated by Muslims during the Hajj pilgrimage in the ritual of Sa'i, where pilgrims walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Hagar's story symbolizes faith, perseverance, and trust in God's providence.

The prominence of each figure can be contextually determined:

Religiously and Scripturally: Mary has a more detailed narrative in the Quran and is explicitly named, highlighting her unique status.

Culturally and Ritually: Hagar's legacy is physically re-enacted by millions of Muslims annually during Hajj, giving her a prominent ritualistic role in Islamic practice.

Both figures, however, are deeply respected and are seen as exemplary models of faith and devotion in their own right. Their stories and the lessons derived from them are integral to Islamic teachings.

In the Midrash, Hagar is described as a daughter of Pharaoh who becomes the handmaid of Sarah, Abraham's wife. The story goes that when Pharaoh encountered the miracles God performed for Sarah to protect her from him, he gave his daughter Hagar to Sarah, hoping that by aligning his family with Abraham's, he could also benefit from God's protection. 

The Midrashic account highlights Hagar's royal origin to emphasize her significant status and the depth of her descent, from princess to servant, and later to the mother of Ishmael, emphasizing themes of divine providence and the interconnected fate of biblical characters.

This image appears to be a Persian or Islamic mystical painting, likely depicting Maryam (Mary) and the infant Jesus (Isa) in a traditional and ethereal style. The art style suggests an influence from Persian miniature painting and Islamic mysticism, with a soft, flowing aesthetic and spiritual elements such as angels or divine figures in the background.

What is the description of Mary in the Hadith?

In the Hadith literature, Mary (Maryam) is described with great reverence and respect. Here are some key aspects of her description in various Hadiths:

1. One of the Best Women: In a well-known Hadith narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari, Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: "Many men have reached perfection, but among women, only Mary, the daughter of Imran, and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh, have attained perfection." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

2. Exemplar of Faith: Mary is often presented as a model of faith and devotion. Her unwavering trust in Allah, especially during the miraculous birth of Jesus, is highlighted in various narrations.

3. Purity: She is described as being pure and chaste. The Hadiths reinforce the Quranic narrative of her miraculous conception of Jesus while remaining a virgin.

4. Chosen by Allah: Some Hadiths mention that Mary was specially chosen by Allah for her role. This aligns with the Quranic verses that describe her as chosen above all women of her time.

5. Mother of Jesus: Her role as the mother of Prophet Jesus (Isa) is frequently mentioned, emphasizing the importance of both figures in Islamic tradition.

6. Devotion to Worship: Some narrations describe Mary's dedication to worship, spending long hours in prayer and remembrance of Allah.

7. Protection from Satan: In some Hadiths, it's mentioned that Mary and her son Jesus were the only ones whom Satan could not touch at birth, indicating their special status.

These descriptions in the Hadith literature complement the Quranic narrative about Mary, reinforcing her status as a highly revered figure in Islam. However, it's important to note that compared to the Quran, the Hadith literature contains relatively fewer direct references to Mary.