When the Angels Said: O Maryam, Allah Has Chosen You — A Woman Without Prophethood But With Prophetic Status
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يَٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصۡطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
— آل عمران 42
Verse: "When the angels said: O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds." (3:42)
"Chosen you" twice: Repeated twice — first for her general sanctity, second for superiority over all women. Doubled honor.
Lesson: Divine election does not distinguish between male and female — Maryam is the best of all women through her worship not her lineage. Taqwa is the measure.
Source: Ibn Kathir (2/46); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (4/69)
Question: Why was "chosen you" repeated twice in the verse?
Answer: First: general election for her sanctity and purity. Second: specific election above all women of the worlds — two distinct levels of honor.