• and his speaking while still an infant in the cradle—a marvel that combines the extraordinary favor granted to a saint with the miracle proper to a prophet.

• Among these honors are the tremendous signs Allah performed at the hands of Jesus son of Mary: raising the dead, curing those born blind and the leprous, and similar wonders.

• Another is the grace Allah showed Jesus by appointing for him disciples and supporters, during his life and after his passing, to spread his call and champion his religion. For that reason his followers multiplied. Yet among them are the upright—those who truly believed in him and in all the messengers—and among them are the deviant, those who went to excess regarding him. They form the majority of those who claim to be his followers, but they are in fact the farthest from him.

• Allah also praised Mary for her perfection in truthful faith, declaring: “She affirmed the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was one of the devout” (Q 66:12). This verse depicts her as possessing deep-rooted knowledge, continual worship, and humble submission to Allah, and confirms that He chose her and preferred her above the women of all worlds.

• Finally, the Prophet ﷺ’s detailed and wholly accurate narration of this story and others is itself a proof of his messengership and a sign of his prophethood, as the Most High says: “That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you” (Q 3:44).