who was known, and he spoke while still in the cradle—a marvel no other descendant of Adam has ever accomplished.

They also argue for their claim that he is “the third of three” by citing Allah’s words: “We knew, We commanded, We created, We decreed.” They insist, “Had He been One, He would have said only, ‘I knew, I commanded, I created, I decreed’; rather, the three are He, Jesus, and Mary.” Concerning all these assertions of theirs the Qur’an was revealed.

When the two rabbis addressed him, the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to them, “Accept Islam.”

They replied, “We have already submitted.”

He said, “You have not submitted, so embrace Islam.”

They said, “Indeed, we submitted before you.”

He answered, “You are lying. What holds you back from Islam is your claim that Allah has a child, your worship of the cross, and your eating of swine.”

They said, “Then who is his father, O Muhammad?” The Messenger of Allah fell silent and did not answer them. Thereupon Allah revealed, regarding that statement of theirs and their dispute in the whole matter, the opening of Sūrah Āl ʿImrān—up to a little over eighty verses.