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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamoilakum,

When the Qur`an speaks about the announciation of the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary, Sura 3:42,45 speaks about (several) angels while it is only one in Sura 19:17-21.

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Answer:

One or many Angels to Mary

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verses 42-45:

42 Behold! The Angels said: "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee; chosen thee above the women of all nations.

43 "O Mary! Worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."

44 This is part of the tidings of the things unseen which We reveal unto thee (O Mohamed (saws))!) by inspiration; thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary; nor wast thou with them when they disputed (the point).

45 Behold! the Angels said "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 19 Surah Maryam verses 17-22:

17 She (Mary) placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then We sent to her Our ‘Rooh’ (Angel Jibrael (a.s.)) and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.

18 She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."

19 He said: "Nay I am only a messenger from thy Lord (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son."

20 She said: "How shall I have a son seeing that no man has touched me and I am not unchaste?"

21 He said: "So (it will be): thy Lord saith `That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': it is a matter (so) decreed."

22 So she conceived him and she retired with him to a remote place.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, the two incidents related in the two above quotations of the Quran are two separate incidents:

1. The first when the plural term or ‘malaaika’ is used, is when Hadrat Maryam was informed and given the news and glad tidings from Allah Subhanah by the Angels that from her would be born a righteous son and a Prophet, Isa (a.s.).
2. The second incident is when Allah sent His Rooh or Spirit, Hadrat Jabriel (a.s.) in the form of a man when the actual miraculous conception of Prophet Isa (a.s.) took place in the womb of Hadrat Maryam.

These are two distinct and separate incidents. The scholars in Islam are of the opinion that it may be that initially, Maryam was only generally informed about the birth of Prophet Isa (a.s.) from her by the Angels of Allah; and later at the time of the actual conception, Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.) was himself sent in the form of a man to Hadrat Maryam by Allah Subhanah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan