the birth of mary is mentioned in the quran in various chapters. her father imran () is also mentioned in the quran. the quran says that hannah and imran were old and had no children for years. one day anne saw a bird feeding her young. seeing this made anne want a child for herself. she prayed to allah for a child. she promised that if her prayers were answered, her child's life would be dedicated to the service of allah. anne also prayed for her child to be protected from the "touch" of satan (; ).