Islamic Parenting Crossword Puzzle: Maryam & Prophet Isa
Quiz: Prophet Isa’s Childhood – How Maryam Raised a Noble Prophet
The Beautiful Story of Islamic Parenting and Character Development – Based on the Qur’an
Multiple Choice Questions (A, B, C, D Format)
Instructions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer from the four options.
1. How did Maryam take care of Prophet Isa every day?
A) With anger and strictness only
B) With love and prayer
C) By ignoring him
D) By letting others raise him
Answer: B) With love and prayer
Explanation: As a righteous mother chosen by Allah, Maryam raised Prophet Isa with deep love and constant prayer. Islamic scholars emphasize that the best upbringing combines affection with spiritual guidance, which Maryam exemplified perfectly.
2. What did Maryam teach Prophet Isa?
A) Fighting and warfare
B) Business and trade only
C) Kindness, patience, and love for Allah
D) Magic and sorcery
Answer: C) Kindness, patience, and love for Allah
Explanation: Maryam, being one of the most righteous women, taught her son the essential Islamic values of kindness (ihsan), patience (sabr), and love for Allah (hubb Allah). These qualities prepared him for his prophetic mission.
3. Who was Prophet Isa’s primary teacher during his childhood?
A) The rabbis at the temple
B) His mother Maryam
C) Prophet Zakariya only
D) He had no teacher
Answer: B) His mother Maryam
Explanation: While Prophet Isa received divine revelation, his mother Maryam was his primary human teacher and guide during childhood. The Qur’an emphasizes Maryam’s righteousness, making her the ideal mother and teacher.
4. What kind of young man did Prophet Isa grow into?
A) Harsh and aggressive
B) Wise, gentle, and righteous
C) Wealthy and proud
D) Silent and isolated
Answer: B) Wise, gentle, and righteous
Explanation: The Qur’an describes Prophet Isa as having wisdom (hikmah), gentleness, and righteousness. In Surah Maryam (19:32), he declares Allah made him “dutiful to my mother” and “not arrogant or wretched.”
5. What quality did Maryam teach Prophet Isa that helps us deal with difficulties?
A) Complaining
B) Running away
C) Patience (sabr)
D) Giving up
Answer: C) Patience (sabr)
Explanation: Patience (sabr) is one of the most important Islamic virtues. Maryam herself demonstrated extraordinary patience during her trials, and she passed this quality to her son, which helped him throughout his prophetic mission.
6. According to the story, what did Prophet Isa care deeply about?
A) Accumulating wealth
B) Other people
C) Only himself
D) Material possessions
Answer: B) Other people
Explanation: Prophet Isa’s mission was characterized by compassion and care for others. The Qur’an mentions he came “as a mercy” and healed the sick, showing deep concern for people’s wellbeing.
7. What role did prayer play in Maryam’s parenting?
A) She never prayed
B) She prayed only once a week
C) She prayed for and with her son every day
D) Prayer wasn’t important to her
Answer: C) She prayed for and with her son every day
Explanation: Maryam was known for her devotion to worship. Islamic scholars explain that righteous parents constantly make du’a (supplication) for their children and teach them to pray from an early age.
8. What does the Qur’an say Prophet Isa was commanded to do as long as he lived?
A) Rule as a king
B) Accumulate wealth
C) Perform prayer and give zakah
D) Travel the world
Answer: C) Perform prayer and give zakah
Explanation: In Surah Maryam (19:31), baby Isa declared: “And [He] has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive.” Maryam would have taught him these practices as he grew.
9. How did Prophet Isa show respect to his mother?
A) By ignoring her
B) By being dutiful and obedient
C) By arguing with her
D) By leaving her alone
Answer: B) By being dutiful and obedient
Explanation: Prophet Isa himself stated in the Qur’an (19:32): “[Allah] has made me dutiful to my mother.” This is one of the highest forms of worship in Islam—honoring one’s parents, especially mothers.
10. What Islamic teaching did Maryam emphasize about treating others?
A) Treating others harshly
B) Ignoring those in need
C) Kindness (ihsan) to all
D) Only helping the wealthy
Answer: C) Kindness (ihsan) to all
Explanation: Kindness and excellent character (ihsan) are central to Islamic teaching. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Allah has prescribed ihsan (excellence/kindness) in all things.” Maryam instilled this in Prophet Isa.
11. What makes a child grow up to be righteous according to this story?
A) Wealth and luxury
B) Good guidance, love, and Islamic teachings
C) Being left alone
D) Only natural talent
Answer: B) Good guidance, love, and Islamic teachings
Explanation: Islamic scholars emphasize that children need proper tarbiyah (upbringing) combining love, discipline, and religious education. Maryam’s parenting of Prophet Isa is the perfect example of this balanced approach.
12. What did Prophet Isa’s gentleness teach us about strength?
A) Gentleness is weakness
B) True strength includes being gentle and kind
C) Only physical power matters
D) Gentleness is only for children
Answer: B) True strength includes being gentle and kind
Explanation: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Allah is gentle and loves gentleness, and He gives for gentleness what He does not give for harshness” (Sahih Muslim 2593). Prophet Isa embodied this beautiful quality.
13. What aspect of Prophet Isa’s character came from his mother’s teaching?
A) His love for Allah
B) His wisdom
C) His compassion for others
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: While Prophet Isa received divine revelation, his mother’s teaching and example shaped his character. Islamic scholars note that even prophets benefited from righteous parenting in their human development.
14. Why is Maryam considered an excellent role model for mothers?
A) Because she was wealthy
B) Because she raised a prophet with love, prayer, and good values
C) Because she was famous
D) Because she never faced difficulties
Answer: B) Because she raised a prophet with love, prayer, and good values
Explanation: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ named Maryam as one of the four best women in Paradise. Her parenting approach—combining deep faith, constant prayer, and teaching good character—makes her an eternal role model.
15. What does it mean that Prophet Isa was “wise”?
A) He was only book-smart
B) He had hikmah – deep understanding and good judgment
C) He knew magic
D) He was just lucky
Answer: B) He had hikmah – deep understanding and good judgment
Explanation: The Qur’an mentions that Allah gave Prophet Isa “hikmah” (wisdom) even as a child (3:48). This includes understanding, good judgment, and the ability to apply knowledge correctly—qualities nurtured by Maryam’s teaching.
16. What should Muslim children learn from how Maryam raised Prophet Isa?
A) Parents’ teachings are not important
B) We should listen to and respect our parents’ guidance
C) Children should raise themselves
D) Only school education matters
Answer: B) We should listen to and respect our parents’ guidance
Explanation: The Qur’an commands: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be dutiful to your parents” (17:23). Prophet Isa’s respect for his mother’s teaching is a model for all children.
17. What did Maryam do every day along with caring for Prophet Isa?
A) She complained about her situation
B) She prayed
C) She ignored her religious duties
D) She focused only on worldly matters
Answer: B) She prayed
Explanation: Maryam was known for her constant worship. The Qur’an describes her as “devoutly obedient” and someone who “stood in prayer” (3:43). She maintained her spiritual practice while raising her son.
18. What quality helped Prophet Isa to care deeply for others?
A) Selfishness
B) Compassion and empathy taught by his mother
C) Desire for fame
D) Fear of people
Answer: B) Compassion and empathy taught by his mother
Explanation: Islamic upbringing emphasizes rahma (mercy/compassion). Maryam, being exceptionally compassionate herself, taught Prophet Isa to care about others’ suffering and to help those in need.
19. According to Islamic teachings, what is the reward for being dutiful to one’s mother?
A) Nothing special
B) Entry into Paradise
C) Wealth
D) Fame
Answer: B) Entry into Paradise
Explanation: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers” (Musnad Ahmad, Sahih chain). Being dutiful to one’s mother is one of the greatest acts of worship and leads to Paradise.
20. What did Prophet Isa’s righteousness mean?
A) He was perfect and never made mistakes
B) He lived according to Allah’s commands and had excellent character
C) He was wealthy
D) He never interacted with people
Answer: B) He lived according to Allah’s commands and had excellent character
Explanation: Righteousness (taqwa and salah) means being conscious of Allah, following His commands, and having good character. The Qur’an describes Prophet Isa as among “the righteous” (3:46).
21. How often should parents teach their children about Allah according to this story?
A) Only on religious holidays
B) Once a year
C) Every day
D) Never
Answer: C) Every day
Explanation: Maryam taught Prophet Isa “every day” with love and prayer. Islamic scholars emphasize that religious education should be continuous and integrated into daily life, not reserved for special occasions.
22. What combination made Prophet Isa a great person?
A) Good upbringing and divine guidance
B) Wealth and power
C) Being left alone
D) Only miracles
Answer: A) Good upbringing and divine guidance
Explanation: While Prophet Isa received divine revelation (wahy), his mother’s excellent upbringing (tarbiyah) helped shape his human character. Islamic scholars note that both elements worked together in developing prophets.
23. What does this story teach about the importance of mothers?
A) Mothers are not important
B) Mothers play a crucial role in raising righteous children
C) Anyone can replace a mother
D) Mothers should not teach religion
Answer: B) Mothers play a crucial role in raising righteous children
Explanation: The story of Maryam raising Prophet Isa demonstrates the tremendous influence mothers have. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized this by mentioning “your mother” three times before “your father” when asked who deserves our best treatment.
24. What should children do when their parents teach them about Islam?
A) Ignore them
B) Listen carefully and apply the teachings
C) Argue with them
D) Wait until they’re older
Answer: B) Listen carefully and apply the teachings
Explanation: Prophet Isa exemplified perfect obedience to his mother’s teachings. The Qur’an commands believers to be grateful to Allah and to their parents (31:14), which includes listening to their guidance.
25. What is the main message of this story for modern families?
A) Religion is not important in parenting
B) Loving Islamic upbringing creates righteous, compassionate children
C) Only prophets need good parenting
D) Parents should be harsh and strict
Answer: B) Loving Islamic upbringing creates righteous, compassionate children
Explanation: Maryam’s example shows that combining love, prayer, and Islamic values produces children of excellent character. This timeless lesson applies to Muslim families today seeking to raise righteous, compassionate children.
