The Protection of Mary and Her Offspring from Satan

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 3431
Narrated Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab: Abu Huraira said, “I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, ‘There is none born among the offspring of Adam, but Satan touches it. A child therefore, cries loudly at the time of birth because of the touch of Satan, except Mary and her child.” Then Abu Huraira recited:
“And I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from the outcast Satan” (📖Quran 3:36).

Explanation:

This Hadith reveals a special divine protection granted to Maryam (Mary) and her son Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him). According to the Prophet ﷺ, every newborn is touched by Satan at birth, which causes the infant to cry — symbolizing the beginning of mankind’s lifelong struggle with evil. However, Mary and Jesus were uniquely spared from this initial satanic touch.

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🧕 The Reason: The Prayer of Mary’s Mother

📖Quran 3:35-36
“When the wife of ‘Imran said, ‘My Lord, I dedicate what is in my womb entirely to Your service…'” And I seek refuge in You for her and her offspring from Satan, the expelled.”

This dua (prayer) was made by the mother of Maryam before Mary was even born. Allah accepted her prayer, and thus Maryam and her son Isa were given divine protection from Satan’s influence from birth.

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💡 What Does “Satan’s Touch” Mean?

• It’s not necessarily a physical touch.

• In Islam, “Satan” refers to any evil force — including:

  • Real devils (jinn) 👿

  • Whispers in the heart 🧠

  • Evil humans (📖Quran 6:112 refers to “shayatin from among mankind and jinn”)

    When the Qur’an says “among jinn and mankind,” it does not mean they are actual satans themselves, but that they became like satan due to the whispers of the real one. These whispers led them to do wrong, and because they chose to follow him, despite him having no power over them, they are called satan too, since they act according to his will.

So, this “touch” can mean:

• Disturbance at birth (spiritual affliction)

• Opening the door to future whisperings

• Symbolizing human vulnerability to sin

But Mary and Jesus (peace be upon them) were shielded from this due to divine mercy.

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🧠 What About This Verse?

📖Quran 6:112
“And so We have made for every prophet enemies, devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with decorative speech in delusion…”

❓Doesn’t this mean Jesus must have had Satanic enemies?

✅ Yes, and he did. But there’s no contradiction.

The Hadith (Bukhari 3431) and the Verse (Quran 6:112) speak about two different stages:

➡️ So Jesus (PBUH) was protected from Satan’s entrance into his life at birth,
➡️ But not from Satan’s opposition during his mission.

Examples of enemies during Jesus’s life include:

• Hypocritical Jewish leaders (Pharisees)

• Roman authorities

• False accusers and plotters

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If Allah is Merciful, Why Did He Allow Enemies for Every Prophet?

📖Quran 6:112
“And so We have made for every prophet enemies, devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with decorative speech in delusion…”

This verse makes it clear: Allah allowed the existence of enemies for each Prophet. But why?

The Logical Answer:

1. Free Will Requires a Test
   Allah didn’t create robots. He created humans with free will, intellect, and a soul. A test requires both truth and falsehood to exist in the world.

Just like a student can’t prove their knowledge without an exam,
humans can’t prove faith without facing trials, including false ideologies and evil people.

2. People Chose Misguidance First

📖Quran 4:115
“And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear and follows other than the way of the believers, We will give him what he has chosen and drive him into Hell…”

So when people choose to reject the truth and follow their own desires, Allah lets them go astray.

📖Quran 45:23
“Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god, and Allah has let him go astray despite knowledge…”

Meaning: They weren’t forced to go astray, they wanted it, and Allah allowed it as part of the test.

3. Enemies Expose the Hypocrites and Strengthen the Believers

📖Quran 3:179
“Allah would not leave the believers in the condition you are in until He distinguishes the wicked from the good…”

➡️ So when enemies rise and challenge the truth:

• Hypocrites are exposed.

• True believers become stronger.

• The truth shines clearer by contrast.

4. Evil Exists, But So Does Guidance

Allah didn’t leave mankind helpless. For every Shaytan, there’s a Prophet, a book, and a reminder.

📖Quran 76:3
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful.”

➡️ Guidance is there. If people prefer darkness, it’s their choice.