How does Surah 19:20–22 show Allah's power in Maryam's vision?

Maryam asked how she could have a son when no man had touched her. The angel replied that it is easy for Allah, and she conceived Isa.

Why is Maryam's vision important for Muslims?

Maryam's vision shows Allah communicating through angels to chosen people, even non-prophets. The vision revealed Allah's power to create by his command.

Which visions besides Maryam's does the Qur'an describe?

Muhammad saw Jibril in his true form on the horizon (Surah 53:7–13). Yusuf dreamed of eleven stars, the sun and the moon bowing to him (Surah 12:4).

Why might visions lead someone to believe in Allah?

A vision can feel so real and life-changing that the person cannot doubt Allah exists. Visions that bring true knowledge or lasting change seem to have a divine source.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Islam: Philosophy of Religion

Visions and the existence of Allah

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Maryam's vision in Surah 19:16 to 22 and its importance, other Qur'anic visions, dreams, the hallucination objection, and Sunni, Shi'a and Sufi understandings of visions.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

How do Sunni and Shi'a Muslims differ in their understanding of visions?

Key term

What is a vision in Islam?

Key term

What does Surah 19:16–19 describe?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is a vision in Islam?
Model answer
A vision is seeing something sacred, often in a dream or trance, that gives spiritual insight. Muslims believe genuine visions come from Allah.
2
What does Surah 19:16–19 describe?
Model answer
Surah 19:16–17 tells how Maryam withdrew to a secluded place and Allah's spirit appeared to her as a man. The angel announced that she would have a pure son.
3
How does Surah 19:20–22 show Allah's power in Maryam's vision?
Model answer
Maryam asked how she could have a son when no man had touched her. The angel replied that it is easy for Allah, and she conceived Isa.
4
Why is Maryam's vision important for Muslims?
Model answer
Maryam's vision shows Allah communicating through angels to chosen people, even non-prophets. The vision revealed Allah's power to create by his command.
5
Which visions besides Maryam's does the Qur'an describe?
Model answer
Muhammad saw Jibril in his true form on the horizon (Surah 53:7–13). Yusuf dreamed of eleven stars, the sun and the moon bowing to him (Surah 12:4).
6
Why might visions lead someone to believe in Allah?
Model answer
A vision can feel so real and life-changing that the person cannot doubt Allah exists. Visions that bring true knowledge or lasting change seem to have a divine source.

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