Surah Al Imran (سورة آل عمران)

Al Imran (Arabic: آل عِمْرَان‎ʾ "The Family of Imran") is the 3rd Surah of Quran

Al Imran (Arabic: آل عِمْرَان‎ ʾĀl ʿImrān, "The Family of Imran") is the third chapter (Surah) of the Quran with two hundred verses (āyāt / ayat / ayaat).

Imran in Islam is regarded as the father of Mary (mother of Jesus). This chapter is named after the family of Imran, which includes Imran, wife of Imran, Mary, and Jesus. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (Asbāb al-nuzūl), the chapter is believed to have been either the second or third of the Medinan (Madani / Madni) surahs, as it references both the events of Badr and the Uhud. Almost all of it also belongs to the third year of the Hijra, though a minority of its verses might have been revealed during the visit of the Najrān Christian deputation and the Mubahala, which occurred around the 10th year of the Hijrah. This chapter primarily focuses on the departure of prophethood from the Mosaic dispensation.

Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that if a person faces hardship in earning his livelihood, he should write this surah and wear it as a talisman and Allah (s.w.t.) will increase his sustenance greatly. The Imam (a.s.) also said that if anyone recites both surah al Baqarah and Ale Imran, then these surahs will come in the shape of clouds on the day of judgement to protect him from the scorching heat.

*Ayah ash-Shahada (Surah Ale Imran: 18-19)

In the commentary of Majma'ul Bayaan, it is narrated from the Holy Prophet that those who recite this ayah make a covenant with Allah (s.w.t.) and Allah always fulfils His covenants. If this ayah is recited after every prayer, then Jannah is guaranteed to the reciter.

*Ayah al-Mulk (Surah Ale Imran: 26-27)

It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once advised one of his companions, who was in debt, to recite this ayah after every prayer and then supplicate to Allah (s.w.t.) for the repayment of his debts saying that even if the debts are equal to the entire land on Earth, they will be repaid.

Exegesis:

The chapter takes its name from the family of Imran mentioned in verse 3:33.

According to Christian tradition, Joachim is the husband of Saint Anne and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

According to Iraqi scholar and translator, N.J. Dawood, the Quran confuses Mary mother of Jesus with Mary the sister of Moses, by referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus' father as Imran, which is the Arabic version of Amram, who in Exodus 6:20, is shown to be the father of Moses. Dawood, in a note to Surah 19:28, where Mary the Mother of Jesus is referred to as the "Sister of Aaron", and Aaron was the brother of Mary sister of Moses, states: "It Appears that Miriam, Aaron's sister, and Maryam (Mary), mother of Jesus, were according to the Koran, the same person." Although Islamic studies of the beginning of the 20th century tended to note genealogical discrepancies, in more recent Islamic Studies of the 21st century the general consensus is, according to Angelika Neuwirth, Nicolai Sinai & Michael Marx, that the Quran does not make a genealogical error but instead makes use of Typology. This is, following Wensincks conclusion, supported by the figurative speech of the Quran and the Islamic tradition:

Maryam is called a sister of Hārūn and the use of these three names ‘Imrān, Hārūn, and Maryam has lead to the supposition that the Kur'ān does not clearly distinguish between the two Maryams, of the Old and the New Testaments. ... It is not necessary to assume that these kinship links are to be interpreted in modern terms. The words "sister" and "daughter", like their male counterparts, in Arabic usage, can indicate extended kinship, descendance or spiritual affinity. ... Muslim tradition is clear that there are eighteen centuries between the Biblical ‘Amram and the father of Maryam.

Similarly, Stowasser concludes that "to confuse Mary the mother of Jesus with Mary the sister of Moses and Aaron in Torah is completely wrong and in contradiction to the sound Hadith and the Qur'anic text as we have established".