Did Allah prescribe monasticism for previous nations, such as the Children of Israel, and was the Virgin Mary a nun?

The monasticism innovated by Christians is the isolation in mountains and monasteries, and the rejection of worldly life and women. They introduced it without divine legislation; God did not command it. Rather, the Qur'an condemned them for initiating it and for not fulfilling its requirements. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah affirmed that the Quranic verses that speak of monasticism do not praise it, and that it is not part of the Shari'ah that God revealed to Christ and his followers; rather, it is an innovation. Mary, peace be upon her, was not a nun; rather, she was a devout worshipper. Her mother had vowed her to the service of the Holy Temple, and she was under the guardianship of Zachariah, peace be upon him. When she conceived Jesus, she withdrew from people fearing their words.