Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Nûh, the family of Ibrâhîm and the family of 'Imrân over the worlds,
descendants, some of them from others.
Two men and two families are chosen. Maryam's father is 'Imrân. Sûra 3 bears his family's name: Âl 'Imrân.
The commentators add: her line goes back to Dâwûd (peace be upon him), in a house known for its goodness.
When the wife of 'Imrân said: “My Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb, consecrated. So accept it from me.”
“Consecrated” (muharrar): set free to serve Allah. She gives her child to Him before she even knows who it will be.
In those days, say the commentators, people vowed children to the service of the house of worship in Jerusalem.
The commentators name her Hanna. The Qur'an calls her only “the wife of 'Imrân”.
Her vow ends: “You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” He hears her dua, and He knows her intention.
When she delivered her, she said: “My Lord, I have delivered a female.”
And Allah knew best what she had delivered.
“And the male is not like the female.”
Ibn Kathîr explains: they are not equal in strength to serve the house of worship she had vowed her child to.
She knew she had a girl. Allah knew she had Maryam.
“I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge for her in You, and for her offspring, from Satan the outcast.”
She names her on the day she is born, and at once places her under Allah's protection.
The Prophet ﷺ said: every child of Adam is touched by Satan at birth and cries out, except Maryam and her son.
Abû Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) then recited this verse: a mother's dua, answered for two generations.
Another narration: Satan went to strike the son of Maryam at his birth, and struck only the veil.
So her Lord accepted her with a good acceptance.
A girl was offered where a boy was expected. Allah accepted her “with a good acceptance”: a warm welcome.
Before Maryam could say a single word, she already had a vow, a name and a dua. All three came from her mother.
A woman expecting a child makes a promise to Allah before she knows what she carries.
What she receives is not what she expected. It is better.
A mother gave what she did not yet know. Allah accepted her gift “with a good acceptance”.
Tonight, make a dua for a child of your family, by name, as the wife of 'Imrân did for Maryam.