Maryam binti Faruqi

The only name in my head was ‘Hawa’. I want my second daughter named as Hawa. Hawa is not just the name of my late mother, but also mother’s of mankind.

Until one day I watched a program on OASIS channel, Dr. MAZA showed up ‘tadabbur-ing’ surah Maryam, 19th chapter of al-Quran. The tadabbur was so captivating for the whole 15 minutes segment. He explained how a woman (Maryam) at that time being tested heavily while she is a good servant. I mean, a really good servant who always put her obedient as priority at all times. Not even that, she had a precocious girlhood and was born to the pious household of Ali-Imraan (family of Imraan).

…and (mention) when the angels said, “Oh Mary, indeed God has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. Oh Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those bow( in prayer). [3: 42-43]

Then, there are lines in surah Maryam recording her dialogue which implies her high dignity while a complete stranger approaching her:

…and mention, (Oh Muhammad), in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our angel (i.e: Gibriel), and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, “indeed, I seek refuge in The Most Merciful from you, (so leave me), if you should be fearing of God.” He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you (news of ) a pure boy (i.e: son)”. She said, “how can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste? He said, “Thus,(it will be); your Lord says, “ It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter (already) decreed”. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. [19: 16-22]

Generation of today is generally lost this value. I am not the one who capable on controlling my decend generations (at least) to be isolated from the social damages. To find Maryam in current generation is merely impossible, I would say.

"The long December rain is falling now. Running down on street to nowhere...

I want my daughter to be Maryam not only by name, but essentially by act. Being inspired by the tadabbur, I changed Hawa to ‘MARYAM’.

Above all, the days will come (by Allah’s will) when they are big enough to know the meaning of upholding the Quran and sunnah while becoming the future CEO of some major international, multi-galactic corporation and caregiver of their tired and aged parents.