Nabi Imran

Nabi Imran was, according to Islamic and some Jewish traditions, the father of the Virgin Mary. Some believe that the Koran states that Mary's father was not Joachim, as believed by major Christian groups. They believe that the Koran states that she decended from the Imran family, a very rich and respected family in Arabia. According to their stories, Imran and his unnamed wife desired a child but could not as she was barren. Imran prayed for a male child, one whom he could dedicate to the temple in Jerusalem. His prayer was answered, his wife became pregnant-but with a female child, Mary. Her parents then devoted her to a life of piety in honor of God's miracle. His tomb is allegedly located in the al-Quaf district of the Omani town of Salalah.