THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) SPOKE WHILE STILL
IN THE CRADLE
 And she (Maryam) who guarded her chastity. We breathed in her some of Our Spirit and made her and her son a Sign for all the worlds. (Surat al-Anbiya: 91)
The birth of the Prophet Jesus (as), which was an unusual event for people, was a test both for Maryam (as) and her people. In reality, the way the Prophet Jesus (as) was born was a miracle Allah employed to summon people to true faith and one of the most explicit evidences of the existence of Allah. Yet, her people failed to grasp it and were suspicious. As mentioned in the Qur'an:
She brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "Maryam! You have done an unthinkable thing! Sister of Harun (Aaron), your father was not an evil man nor was your mother an unchaste woman!" (Surah Maryam: 27-28)
As explained in the verses above, upon Maryam's (as) return from the distant place with the Prophet Jesus (as), her people did not let her explain. They simply slandered Maryam (as) in an ugly manner. However, those who spread these slanders about Maryam (as) knew her almost from the day she was born and were aware of her purity and piety (taqwa), like the other members of the family of 'Imran.
Surely, these false accusations were a test for Maryam (as). It was apparent that a person, so pure and pious, would not overstep Allah's limits. From the time Maryam (as) was born, Allah always helped her and turned everything she did to good. Maryam (as), in return, knew that every incident happens by the Will of Allah and only Allah could prove the groundless nature of these slanders.
Indeed, Allah provided comfort to Maryam (as) and inspired her to remain quiet. Allah instructed her not to speak with her people but to point to the Prophet Jesus (as), if they ever approached her and attempted to make accusations. In this way, Maryam (as) avoided any trouble such a discussion was likely to create. The one who would provide the most accurate answers to the people was the Prophet Jesus (as). When Allah gave the good tidings of the birth of the Prophet Jesus (as) to Maryam (as), He also informed her that he would speak clearly while he was still in his cradle:
He will speak to people in the cradle, and also when fully grown, and will be one of the righteous. (Surah Al 'Imran: 46)
Thus Allah made things easier for Maryam (as) and provided the true explanation to the people through the words of the Prophet Jesus (as). With such a miracle, the disbelief of the people surrounding Maryam (as) simply failed. We are informed in the Qur'an:
She pointed towards him. They said, "How can a baby in the cradle speak?" He said, "I am the slave of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am and directed me to do prayer and pay poor-due as long as I live, and to show devotion to my mother. He has not made me insolent or arrogant. Peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die and the day I am raised up again alive." (Surah Maryam: 29-33)
No doubt, a baby speaking fluently in his cradle is a great miracle. The people of Maryam (as) were astonished on hearing these words of wisdom from a baby and this occasion proved to them that they were facing a miracle from Allah's Presence. All these miraculous incidents showed that the blessed baby in the cradle was a messenger of Allah.
This was Allah's mercy on Maryam (as) because of the trust she placed in Him. By means of such an astounding miracle, she responded to the slanders against her without having to say a word. Yet, Allah informs us that a grievous disaster awaited those who did not dismiss their bad thoughts about Maryam (as) despite this miracle:
And on account of their disbelief and their utterance of a monstrous slander against Maryam. (Surat an-Nisa': 156) |
