The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a story of resilience in the face of powerlessness.

She had no control or say over what would happen to her in her life and what she’d be called upon to do.

You could say that she was destined for greatness, but that greatness came at a great price and not without its fair share of pain.

Mary was forced to confront strange forces (an Angel in the guise of a man) and even the Almighty.

Allah knows full well the terror she had regarding what He was charging her with.

He got her through the pain, and through her he brought a mighty messenger,

“The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said, ‘Oh if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!’” Qur’an,19: 23

“A voice called out to her from under her, ‘Do not grieve! Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet.” Qur’an, 19: 24

Zakariyya’ was never disappointed with calling on Allah.

قالَ رَبِّ إِنّي وَهَنَ العَظمُ مِنّي وَاشتَعَلَ الرَّأسُ شَيبًا وَلَم أَكُن بِدُعائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا

“and [Zakariyya] said, ‘My Lord, my bones have lost their strength and my head is crowned with white, but in calling on You, My Lord, I have never been disappointed.”
Qur’an, 19: 4

مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُصِبْ مِنْهُ

“If Allah intends good for someone, then he afflicts him with trials.” Saḥiḥ al-Bukhari 5321