Surah Maryam Transliteration — Full Guide with Tajweed
Surah Maryam (Chapter 19) is one of the most moving chapters of the Quran. Named after Maryam — the mother of Isa (Jesus) — and the only surah named after a woman, it tells the stories of Zakariyya, Yahya, Maryam, Isa, Ibrahim, and other prophets through the lens of divine mercy. This guide provides Arabic text, English transliteration, translation, and detailed Tajweed notes for the key sections of the surah, so you can recite them correctly from the very first reading.
About Surah Maryam
| Surah Number | 19 |
| Arabic Name | مريم (Maryam) |
| Meaning | Mary |
| Total Verses | 98 |
| Revelation Type | Meccan |
| Reader Pages | 613–641 |
| Juz | 16 (and into Juz 15) |
Surah Maryam was revealed in Mecca during a period of great hardship for the early Muslim community. Its stories of miraculous births — Yahya to an elderly couple, and Isa to a virgin — were a message of hope: that Allah's mercy has no limits, and that the impossible is possible for Him. The surah is also notable for its use of the divine name Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), which appears 16 times — more than in any other chapter.
For new learners, we recommend starting with Tajweed for Beginners to understand the colour system before reading the verse-by-verse sections below.
How to Use This Guide
Each verse is presented in four parts: Arabic text, English transliteration, English translation, and a Tajweed note explaining the key pronunciation rules in that verse. The transliteration uses the same system as our colour-coded reader — double vowels (“aa”, “ee”, “oo”) indicate Madd (prolongation), and an apostrophe (‘) represents the ʿAyn (ع) or Hamzah (ء) sounds.
- →Read the Arabic text aloud, following the transliteration below it
- →Check the Tajweed note to correct any common pronunciation errors
- →Open the reader at page 613 to follow the colour-coded Tajweed markings as you recite
For a full explanation of every Tajweed colour and rule, see the Complete Tajweed Rules Guide.
Verses 1–5: The Opening and Zakariyya's Prayer
The surah opens with five disconnected letters (Muqattaʿat) followed immediately by the moving supplication of the Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him), who prayed to Allah in secret for a son in his old age. These opening verses set the theme of the entire surah: that Allah's mercy reaches even the most unlikely situations.
كٓهيعٓصٓ
Kaaf-Haa-Yaa-ʿAyn-Saad
“Kaf, Ha, Ya, ʿAyn, Sad.”
Tajweed note: These are Muqattaʿat — disconnected letters recited by their letter names, not as words. Recite each distinctly: "Kaaf", "Haa", "Yaa", "ʿAyn" (deep throat sound), "Saad". Each letter typically receives 2 counts, with the ʿAyn extended to 6 counts by most reciters.
ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُۥ زَكَرِيَّا
Dhikru rahmati rabbika ʿabdahu Zakariyyaa
“[This is] a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zakariyya.”
Tajweed note: The Ra (ر) in "Rahmati" is a heavy letter — give it a full, resonant sound. "Zakariyyaa" ends with a 2-count Madd (natural prolongation) on the "aa".
إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّۭا
Idh naadaa rabbahu nidaaʾan khafiyyaa
“When he called to his Lord a private supplication.”
Tajweed note: "Naadaa" and "Nidaaʾan" both contain 2-count Madd — hold the "aa" sound. "Khafiyyaa" — the doubled Yaa (Shaddah) means press firmly on the letter. Final "aa" is a 2-count Madd.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًۭا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
Qaala rabbi innee wahanol-ʿazmu minnee washtaʿalar-raʾsu shayban wa lam akun biduʿaaʾika rabbi shaqiyyaa
“He said: "My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy."”
Tajweed note: "Innee" and "Minnee" each have a Ghunnah (nasal hum) on the doubled Noon — hold for 2 counts through your nose. "Al-ʿAzmu" — the ʿAyn (ع) comes from the middle of the throat. "Shaqiyyaa" ends with a doubled Yaa and 2-count Madd.
وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا
Wa innee khiftul-mawaaliya miw-waraaʾee wa kaanatiṃraʾatee ʿaaqiran fahab lee mil-ladunka waliyyaa
“And indeed I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me from Yourself an heir.”
Tajweed note: "Mawaali" — the "aa" is a 2-count Madd. "Kaanati" — the Alif after Kaaf is a 2-count Madd. The Noon in "Min Ladunka" merges into the Laam by Idgham — the two letters blend together smoothly.
Verses 16–20: The Angel Visits Maryam
This section introduces Maryam (Mary, peace be upon her). She had withdrawn from her family for seclusion when the angel Jibreel appeared to her in human form. Her initial fear and seeking refuge in Allah, followed by his announcement, is one of the most beautiful exchanges in the Quran. These verses are particularly significant to both Muslims and Christians.
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًۭا شَرْقِيًّۭا
Wadhkur fil-kitaabi Maryama idhin-tabadhats min ahlihaa makaanan sharqiyyaa
“And mention in the Book [the story of] Maryam, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.”
Tajweed note: The "dh" in "Wadhkur" (واذكر) is voiced — like the "th" in "the", not the unvoiced "th" in "think". "Sharqiyyaa" ends with a doubled Yaa and 2-count Madd.
فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًۭا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًۭا سَوِيًّا
Fattakhadhat min doonihim hijaaban fa-arsalnaa ilayhaa roohana fatamathala lahaa basharan sawiyyaa
“And she took a screen apart from them; then We sent to her Our Spirit, and he appeared before her as a well-proportioned man.”
Tajweed note: "Hijaaban" — hold the "aa" for 2 counts (Madd Tabeeʿee). "Arsalnaa" — the "aa" at the end is a 2-count Madd. "Roohana" — the "oo" is a 2-count Madd; the word means "Our Spirit".
قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا
Qaalat innee aʿoodhu bir-Rahmaani minka in kunta taqiyyaa
“She said: "I seek refuge with the Most Merciful from you, if you should be fearing of Allah."”
Tajweed note: "Qaalat" — 2-count Madd on "aa". "Aʿoodhu" — begins with a Hamzah (glottal stop), then "oo" for 2 counts. "Ar-Rahmaan" — both the Ra and the "aan" receive careful attention. "Taqiyyaa" — doubled Yaa with 2-count Madd.
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَـٰمًۭا زَكِيًّا
Qaala innamaa ana rasoolu rabbiki li-ahaba laki ghulaaman zakiyyaa
“He said: "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you a pure boy."”
Tajweed note: "Innamaa" — the doubled Noon has Ghunnah (nasal), then 2-count Madd on "aa". "Rasoolu" — the "oo" is a 2-count Madd. "Zakiyyaa" — doubled Yaa and 2-count Madd at the end.
قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا
Qaalat annaa yakoonu lee ghulaamun wa lam yamsasnee basharun wa lam aku baghiyyaa
“She said: "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"”
Tajweed note: "Annaa" — the doubled Noon has Ghunnah, followed by 2-count Madd. "Yakoonu" — 2-count Madd on "oo". "Baghiyyaa" — doubled Yaa with 2-count Madd at the end.
Verses 30–33: Isa (Jesus) Speaks from the Cradle
After Maryam gave birth, she brought the baby to her people. When they questioned her, she pointed to the infant. What happened next is one of the most extraordinary miracles in the Quran: the baby Isa (Jesus) spoke from the cradle, declaring his servitude to Allah and his prophethood. These four verses are among the most frequently memorised in Surah Maryam.
قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّۭا
Qaala innee ʿabdullaahi aataanial-kitaaba wa jaʿalanee nabiyyaa
“[Jesus] said: "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet."”
Tajweed note: "Innee" — doubled Noon has Ghunnah (2-count nasal hum). "ʿAbdullaah" — the Lam in Allah (لله) is heavy (Tafkheem) — say it with a deep, full sound. "Nabiyyaa" — doubled Yaa with 2-count Madd.
وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًۭا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَـٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا
Wa jaʿalanee mubaarakan ayna maa kuntu wa awsaanee bis-salaati waz-zakaati maa dumtu hayyaa
“And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive.”
Tajweed note: "Mubaarakan" — 2-count Madd on "aa". "Bis-Salaati" — the Saad (ص) is an emphatic letter; say it with a deeper, heavier resonance than a regular "s". "Hayyaa" — doubled Yaa and 2-count Madd.
وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَتِى وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِى جَبَّارًۭا شَقِيًّا
Wa barran biwaalidatee wa lam yajʿalnee jabbaaran shaqiyyaa
“And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant.”
Tajweed note: "Barran" — the double Ra should be pronounced firmly. "Jabbaaran" — the Jeem (ج) has Qalqalah; at a pause, give it a gentle bounce off the letter. "Shaqiyyaa" — doubled Yaa with 2-count Madd.
وَٱلسَّلَـٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
Was-salaamu ʿalayya yawma wulidtu wa yawma amootu wa yawma ubʿathu hayyaa
“And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.”
Tajweed note: "As-Salaam" — the Lam in As-Salaam is a light Lam. "ʿAlayya" — the doubled Yaa has Shaddah; press firmly. "Amootu" — 4 or 5-count Madd (Madd Waajib) before the Hamzah. "Hayyaa" — doubled Yaa with 2-count Madd.
Tajweed Tips for Surah Maryam
Surah Maryam is rich with Tajweed rules that you will encounter throughout the Quran. Mastering them here will carry through to every other surah you read. Here are the most important rules appearing in this surah:
Madd (Prolongation)
Surah Maryam contains all three types of Madd. The natural Madd (Madd Tabeeʿee) appears constantly — any long vowel (“aa”, “ee”, “oo”) held for 2 counts. A longer Madd (4–5 counts) appears before Hamzah sounds, as in verse 33: “amootu” (أَمُوتُ — I will die). In the colour-coded reader, prolongations are shown in red tones.
Ghunnah (Nasalisation)
The doubled Noon (ن with Shaddah) and doubled Meem (م with Shaddah) require a 2-count nasal hum. This appears throughout the surah in words like “innee” (إِنِّى), “minnee” (مِنِّى), and “jabbaaran” (جَبَّارًا). Hold the sound through your nose, not your throat. Green colouring in the reader marks Ghunnah sounds.
Qalqalah (Echoing Letters)
The five Qalqalah letters (ق ط ب ج د) produce a slight bounce or echo when pronounced at a pause. You can hear this most clearly in the word “jabbaaran” (جَبَّارًا) — the Jeem bounces at the end of the word when pausing. In the reader, Qalqalah letters are highlighted in purple.
Idgham (Merging Letters)
When a Noon Sakinah (نْ) or Tanween is followed by certain letters, the sounds merge together. A clear example in verse 5: “min ladunka” — the Noon in “min” merges into the Lam of “ladunka” so that both letters blend smoothly into one. Do not pause between them or pronounce the Noon separately.
Heavy and Light Letters
Arabic has emphatic letters (ص ض ط ظ غ خ ق ر) that are pronounced with a fuller, deeper resonance — as if the back of your mouth is more involved. In Surah Maryam, watch for the Saad (ص) in “Bis-Salaati” (the prayer) and the heavy Lam in the name “Allah” when preceded by a full vowel. Blue colouring in the reader marks emphatic pronunciation.
For a deeper dive into any of these rules, see the complete Tajweed Rules Guide or our guide to pronouncing Arabic letters.
How to Approach Surah Maryam
At 98 verses, Surah Maryam is a medium-length surah. Most learners do not memorise it fully at first — instead they begin with the key sections covered in this guide and gradually work through the rest. Here is a practical approach:
Week 1: Opening and Zakariyya's Story (1–15)
Begin with verses 1–5 from this guide. Read them with the transliteration three times, then try once from memory. The disconnected letters at the start (verse 1) are easy to memorise and make a strong anchor for the rest of the opening.
Week 2: The Story of Maryam (16–26)
Verses 16–26 tell the story of the angel visiting Maryam and the birth of Isa. The narrative structure helps memorisation — each verse flows naturally into the next. Focus on the Ghunnah sounds, which are very frequent here.
Week 3: Isa Speaks (27–40)
Verses 30–33 (Isa speaking from the cradle) are short, powerful, and extremely rewarding to memorise. This section also contains the declaration in verse 36 that clarifies the Islamic understanding of Isa's relationship with Allah.
General Tips
Use the audio feature in the reader to hear a professional reciter before you attempt each section. Open page 613 in the reader and follow the colour coding as you listen. Then read without the audio, using the transliteration as a crutch until you no longer need it.
For a full memorisation methodology, see our guide on how to memorise the Quran with transliteration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verses are in Surah Maryam?
Surah Maryam contains 98 verses (ayat). It is the 19th chapter of the Quran and was revealed in Mecca. It is named after Maryam (Mary), the mother of Isa (Jesus), and is the only surah named after a woman.
What is Surah Maryam about?
Surah Maryam covers several prophetic stories: the prayer of Zakariyya for a son and the birth of Yahya (John the Baptist), the miraculous birth of Isa (Jesus) to Maryam (Mary), the story of Ibrahim (Abraham) and his father, and accounts of other prophets including Musa (Moses), Ismail, and Idris. The surah emphasises divine mercy, prophethood, and the truth of resurrection. The divine name Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) appears 16 times in this surah — more than in any other.
What does the name Maryam mean?
“Maryam” (مريم) is the Arabic name for Mary. Surah Maryam is unique as the only chapter of the Quran named after a woman. The surah honours her as a chosen, purified woman (verse 42) and tells her story with great reverence. She is also mentioned by name in several other chapters of the Quran.
When should Surah Maryam be recited?
Surah Maryam can be recited at any time as part of regular Quran reading. Some scholars recommend it during difficult times and when seeking the mercy of Allah, as its central theme is rahmah (mercy). It is particularly read for expectant mothers and those seeking righteous children, following the tradition of Zakariyya's supplication for a son in his old age.
Can I use transliteration to learn Surah Maryam?
Yes. Transliteration allows you to learn the correct sounds before or alongside learning Arabic script. The colour-coded reader on this site uses the same system as this guide, so you can follow along in the reader at page 613 while using this guide as a reference. Many learners use the two together until they no longer need the transliteration.
Ready to follow along? Open the colour-coded reader at the beginning of Surah Maryam and recite alongside this guide.
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