Surah Ali 'Imran
Surah 3 · Family of Imran · 200 verses · medinan
The Family of 'Imran — the household of Maryam, her mother, and Yahya and 'Isa عليهما السلام, named in verse 33 among the families Allah chose.
The story
This surah tells us about Maryam عليها السلام, whose mother gave her to Allah before she was even born, and about her son 'Isa عليه السلام. It also talks about a battle the Muslims lost, and how Allah told them not to be sad but to learn from it.
How it unfolds
AYAH 1-9
How to read this Book
Clear verses and deep ones — and the du'a of those with insight: "Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate."
AYAH 33-63
The family of 'Imran
Maryam's mother's vow, Maryam in the sanctuary, Zakariyya's du'a, the birth of 'Isa, and the debate with Najran.
AYAH 100-120
Holding to the rope
Unity as survival: "hold fast to the rope of Allah, all together, and do not be divided."
AYAH 121-180
Uhud, told honestly
The defeat, its causes, the deaths, the rumours — and Allah's answer to a community in shock.
AYAH 190-200
People of understanding
Those who reflect on the heavens and earth standing, sitting, lying down — until reflection becomes du'a.
Verses to carry
- 3:190The verse the Prophet ﷺ wept over at night — creation itself is the evidence, for anyone who will think.
- 3:159"Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have scattered from around you." Said to the Prophet ﷺ right after Uhud — leadership is mercy.
- 3:26"You give sovereignty to whom You will and take it away from whom You will." The du'a for when the world feels out of your hands.
- 3:139"Do not lose heart and do not grieve" — the verse for the morning after a defeat.
Remember this
Losing once does not mean you have failed. It means there is something to learn — and Allah tells us not to lose heart.
Talk about it
Allah told the Prophet ﷺ that being gentle is what kept people close to him. Who is the gentlest person you know?