Maria the Copt (Al Qibtiya)
Mother of Prophet Muhammad's (p)
Son Ibrahim (died as baby)
Maria al-Qibtiyya (may Allah be pleased with her) married the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and as such everyone gave her full respect as any of the Prophet's wives, 'Umm al Muminin' 'Mother of the Believers'.
Maria was born in upper Egypt of a Coptic father and Greek mother and moved to the court of the Muqawqis when she was still young.
She arrived in Medina to join the Prophet's household just after the Prophet returned from the treaty with Quraish which was contracted at al-Hudaybiyya.
Maria gave birth to a healthy son in 9 AH, the same year that his daughter Zaynab died, and the Prophet named his new son Ibrahim, after the ancestor of both the Jews and the Christians, the Prophet from whom all the Prophets who came after him were descended.
Story of Maria's son Ibrahim:
By the Will of Allah, when little Ibrahim only eighteen months old, he became seriously ill and passed away. Even though he knew that his small son would go to the Garden in Paradise, our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him could not help shedding his tears. Some of the companions asked him why he was crying, he replied, "I am human" (just as any father would cry for the loss of his son).
When little Ibrahim's body was being buried, the sun was eclipsed and it grew dark and gloomy. Some people thought this was a sign of some kind, connected with Ibrahim's death, but the Prophet soon clarified this. "The sun and the moon are two of Allah's signs," he said, "they are not eclipsed because of anyone's birth or death. When you see these signs, make haste to remember Allah in prayer."
Some very cruel disbelievers made fun of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, at the loss of his small child and because now he had no sons, they said he was 'abtar' (cut off).
So Allah made it clear in the following surah the position of the Prophet Muhammad was far above that of any other man:
In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Especially Merciful.
Certainly (Allah) has granted you, Al-Kawthar (fountain in Paradise).
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice (For Him alone).
Indeed, your enemy is the who is cut off.
[Quran 108:1-3]
Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah has knowledge of all things. (Quran 33:40)
Maria was honored and respected by the Prophet and his family and Companions.
She spent three years of her life with the Prophet, until his death, and died five years later in 16 AH, (may Allah be pleased with her).
For the last five years of her life, she remained a recluse and almost never went out except to visit the grave of the Prophet or her son Ibrahim's grave.
After her death, Umar ibn al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, led the prayer over her and she was buried in al Baqi.
May Allah be pleased with her, ameen.
[This article was updated and is much more accurate than the one on WickedPedia]
