Maryam/Mary

When I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter, I wanted to name her Maryam. The verses of Mary and her mother kept coming to my mind during my pregnancy, and I often found myself reciting them subconsciously. Maryam, the mother of Eesa, was a role model for all women and what an honor to have my daughter share her same name. As my pregnancy continued, we heard from doctors that she may have developmental issues. At first, it did not really hit me and I continued to believe she will be the perfect Maryam I've always wanted. Soon after, we had another ultrasound later in my pregnancy, and it was apparent that she had many underdeveloped organs. One arm was very tiny connected to a tiny fist and fingers. One thigh was also very small, connected to a small leg and tiny foot that didn't develop as well as the other. She had one kidney. Her spine was underdeveloped. And a part of the brain's cerebellum was also underdeveloped. All these facts that we saw right in front of our eyes tore me apart. And more than anything, I told myself Maryam was not the right name for her. Yet with thought and reflection, I realized how selfish I was being. Because of her imperfect body, I was stripping her of one of the most beautiful names, and a name meant for her. You see, Allah says in the Quran to Mary that "we have chosen you over all women of the world". She was special and unique. And like Maryam, my daughter was also special and unique. She was chosen by Allah Himself to have these disabilities. She was unique in a way that no other child I had ever heard of had these very same qualities. And therefore, Maryam was indeed the right name for her. Just as Allah chose Maryam to give birth to a child without the child having a father, Allah also chose my daughter Maryam to have challenges that many others will never have to endure. She is chosen for this task, and Allah knows she is up for it, as Maryam the mother of Eesa was ready for the task ahead of her. 

{written on July 30, 2015]