سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ

Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 29

Mary · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 307

فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا ﴿29﴾
Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"
فَأَشَارَتْ fa-ashārat Then she pointed
إِلَيْهِ ۖ ilayhi to him
قَالُوا۟ qālū They said
كَيْفَ kayfa How
نُكَلِّمُ nukallimu (can) we speak
مَن man (to one) who
كَانَ kāna is
فِى in
ٱلْمَهْدِ l-mahdi the cradle
صَبِيًّۭا ṣabiyyan a child

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 29){فَاَشَارَتْ اِلَيْهِ قَالُوْا كَيْفَ … :} Due to the vow of silence, Maryam (peace be upon her) indicated towards Isa (peace be upon him) for the testimony of her chastity, telling them to ask him. They all said, how can we speak to one who is still a child in the cradle? Here, {’’ كَانَ ‘‘} is in the meaning of continuity (perpetuity) up to the present time. This verse is proof that in the coming verses, the conversation of Isa (peace be upon him) is the conversation at the time of the cradle. Some deniers of miracles have considered it to be the conversation of Isa (peace be upon him) in his youth, but these verses and the verse (46) of Surah Aal-e-Imran are clear evidence of Isa (peace be upon him) speaking in the cradle. Besides, in an authentic hadith, there is mention of three children speaking in the cradle, one of whom is Isa (peace be upon him). [ بخاري، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب : « و اذکر فی الکتاب مریم…» : ۳۴۳۶، عن أبي ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ]

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is a child in the cradle?" [28]

[28] Lady Maryam, following the angel’s instruction, did not respond to any of their harsh and bitter words, but instead pointed towards the newborn child, indicating that he himself would answer. This made the people even more angry, and they said, “First you are guilty yourself, and now you are mocking us. How can this child, who has just been born, possibly answer these matters?”