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Fatwa CenterWhy did 'Eesa, may Allaah exalt his mention, not resurrect his mother?
Question
Asalaam alaikum why prophet esa pbuh did not resurrect his own mother.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, we say that it is not known for certain whether Maryam (Mary), may Allaah exalt her mention, died before her son ‘Eesa (Jesus) 
was raised to the heavens or after he was raised. Both opinions have been stated in this regard. Ibn Al-Jawzi 
states in his book, Zaad Al-Maseer fi ‘Ilm At-Tafseer: “It was said that his mother Maryam lived six years after he was taken up to the heavens. It was also said that she died before he was taken up.”
What is most commonly cited in the history and Tafseer books is that his mother died after him. Ibn Katheer said in Al-Bidaayah wa-n-Nihaayah that Maryam lived five years after 'Eesa and she died at age 53 (May Allaah be pleased with her). Al-Baghawi said in his Tafseer, “His mother Maryam lived six years after he was taken up." This is also what Ibn Al-Atheer mentioned in his book, Al-Kaamil fi At-Taareekh.
Even if we assume that she died before ‘Eesa was raised to the heavens, she would have gone to the mercy of Allaah and Paradise, as it is stated in a Saheeh (sound) Hadeeth that Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, is the chief of the women of Paradise. So, why would her son – who was dutiful and obedient to her – bring her back to this life, which is miserable and distressful, and cause her to taste the bitterness and severity of death twice.
Also, Allaah decreed that whoever dies shall not come back to this worldly life again except for those who Allaah makes an exception. Ibn Maajah reported in a Saheeh Hadeeth that Allaah spoke to Jaabir ibn Haraam when he was martyred in the Battle of Uhud, saying, “O My servant ask of Me what you desire and I will give you." He said, “My Lord, bring me back to life so that I would be killed for Your Sake again." Allaah said, “I have already decreed that they [My Slaves] shall not return to it (the worldly life).” He said, "O Lord, tell those I left behind." Then, Allaah revealed the verse (which means): {And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allaah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.} [Quran 3:169]
So, whoever dies will not come back to this worldly life except for those who Allaah makes an exception, and Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, is not one of them. The Imaams of Tafseer reported that there are four people who ‘Eesa brought back to life by Allaah's Will: (1) Lazarus (a friend of 'Eesa, may Allaah exalt her mention), (2) the son of the old woman, (3) the daughter of the tithe collector, and (4) Saam (Shem), the son of Nooh (Noah) (when he passed by his grave). So, Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was not among those for whom an exception was named.
Allaah has mentioned in Soorah Al-Baqarah [Quran 2] four among those for whom/which there was an exception and who/which were resurrected after their death. They are the following: (1) the murdered Israeli man (during the time of Moosa [Moses] ); (2) those who left their homes in many thousands fearing death and Allaah said to them, “Die,” and then restored them to life; (3) the one who passed by a town which had fallen into ruin and said, “How will Allaah bring this to life after its death?” so Allaah caused him to die for a hundred years, then He revived him; and (4) the birds which Allaah resurrected for Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) .
Finally, it should be noted that one should ask about what entails a benefit for him and abstain from asking about things which if he is ignorant of, it does not harm him, and if he knows it, it does not benefit him.
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 88187 and 91386.
Allaah Knows best.
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