Speaking in the Cradle – Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام and the True Criterion of Prophetic Superiority

Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 35

❖ The Question​

A Christian posed three questions, claiming he would embrace Islam if satisfactory answers were given.


First question:
Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus) عليه السلام spoke in the cradle, while Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ did not. Does this not prove that ʿĪsā عليه السلام is superior?

Answer​

Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:

Why Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام Spoke in the Cradle​

• Maryam عليها السلام, the mother of ʿĪsā, faced a false accusation of fornication from the Jews when she returned with her newborn.
• This grave slander required a divine miracle to prove her innocence.
• Allah caused the infant ʿĪsā عليه السلام to speak, proclaiming his prophethood and defending his mother’s chastity.

Why Such a Miracle Was Not Required for Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ​

• The parents of the Prophet ﷺ were well-known to everyone.
• His mother faced no accusation or slander.
• Therefore, no miraculous infant testimony was needed.

Is Speaking in the Cradle a Measure of Superiority?​

No — otherwise, by this logic, the infant who spoke to defend Jurayj the monk would also be considered superior to many great Prophets, including Ibrāhīm, Yaʿqūb, and Mūsā عليهم السلام — for whom no such incident is recorded.

Islamic Belief About All Prophets​

• All true Prophets are Allah’s chosen servants.
• Muslims must believe in every one of them — from Ibrāhīm, Mūsā, and ʿĪsā عليهم السلام to Muḥammad ﷺ, the final Prophet from the lineage of Ismāʿīl عليه السلام.

True Criterion of Prophetic Excellence: Messengerhood​

• The enduring miracle of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ is the Qur’ān, preserved in its original Arabic.
• In contrast, the original teachings of ʿĪsā عليه السلام in Aramaic are lost; the existing Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) were written later by followers of Paul.

Critical Issues with the Current Gospels​

1. Language gap: ʿĪsā’s language was Aramaic, but the Gospels are in Greek.
2. Authorship uncertainty:
   
   • Matthew narrates about “Matthew” in the third person, indicating he may not be the author.
   • Mark and Luke were not disciples of ʿĪsā.
   • John’s Gospel appears to have been written by someone else.
3. Loss of authentic chains of transmission: Unlike the rigorously preserved Sunnah of Muḥammad ﷺ, Christian sources lack continuous, reliable isnād.

Paul’s Corrupt Teachings​

Paul wrote:


“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…”
(Galatians 3:13)

• Islam teaches that no Prophet is “accursed.” All are noble and sinless.

In contrast, ʿĪsā عليه السلام himself said:


“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…”
(Matthew 5:17–18)

Conclusion​

• The cradle miracle of ʿĪsā عليه السلام served a unique purpose — defending his mother’s honor — not proving superiority over other Prophets.
• The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ’s excellence is established through his preserved revelation, global impact, and completion of prophethood.

ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب