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This is a passage from the Quran's third chapter, Surah Al-Imran ("The Family of Imran"), presented here in a 19th-century English translation using archaic diction. The chapter establishes Islam as the one true religion ordained by God, arguing that earlier scriptures (the Torah and Gospel) were authentic revelations but that Jews and Christians have since distorted or selectively ignored their own scriptures, particularly regarding Abraham, whom the text reclaims as a pre-Jewish, pre-Christian "Hanif" (monotheist) and proto-Muslim. A substantial portion narrates the birth of Mary, her upbringing under Zachariah, and the annunciation of Jesus — presenting Jesus as a prophet and miracle-worker whose powers operate explicitly "by God's permission," firmly subordinating him to God rather than equating him with God. The chapter's distinctive theological move is its claim that Islam does not contradict but rather supersedes and corrects the Abrahamic traditions, positioning the Quran as the final arbiter of disputes between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It also addresses the aftermath of early Muslim military encounters, warning believers against allying with non-believers and reassuring them that God controls all worldly outcomes. Readers seeking Quranic theology on Jesus, the relationship between Islam and prior scriptures, or Islamic doctrine on divine sovereignty and predestination will find this chapter directly relevant.

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