19:22-23
19:22
so she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.
19:23
And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish):“Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!”
The Qurʾānic account describes Mary giving birth to Jesus under the natural physical conditions experienced by women during childbirth. The expression, “Would that I had died before this and been a thing forgotten,” is understood as a statement uttered in the intense pain and distress of labor. According to the narrative, the pains of childbirth led Mary to cling to a date palm for support while expressing these words. Some commentators interpret this description as emphasizing that the birth of Jesus occurred through a genuine human birth process, thereby underscoring his human nature and rejecting claims that his birth alone justifies regarding him as the son of God. In addition to the literal meaning, some interpretations view the image of Mary seeking support from the tree as symbolizing the spiritual support she sought in the face of opposition and misunderstanding from her community. Certain Sufi commentators further interpret the symbolism as representing spiritual reformers (mujaddids) who support believers during times when the faith faces challenges or opposition (author, year).
The conception and birth of Jesus are also described as a miracle granted by God. Although the event is extraordinary, Islamic theology maintains that miracles, regardless of how improbable they appear, remain within God’s power. Some classical discussions have suggested that such an occurrence cannot be considered absolutely impossible from a theoretical standpoint. For example, medieval medical literature, including the work of Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) in Al-Qānūn fī al-Ṭibb, discusses conditions in which formations resembling a fetus may develop in the uterus without the involvement of male semen. These observations were cited by some commentators to argue that unusual biological phenomena may occur under exceptional circumstances, thereby illustrating that miraculous events, while extraordinary, do not contradict the possibility of divine power acting through nature (Ibn Sīnā, as cited in the original text).
References:
NOORUDDÎN ,ALLÂMAH. (2015). Exegesis of The Holy Qur’ân Commentary and Reflections.
Shafi, Muhammad (2008). Maariful Quran. (Vol .5 surah 19 verse 23).