Explanation
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—cites the report transmitted by Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Only three spoke while still in the cradle.”

First among them is Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him). Jesus was the last prophet sent to the Children of Israel and, in fact, the final prophet before Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), for no prophet came between the two. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “And when Jesus son of Mary said, ‘Children of Israel, I am indeed Allah’s messenger to you, confirming the Torah that is before me and bringing good news of a messenger who will come after me whose name is Ahmad.’” (61:6). Hence, there was no prophet between Muhammad and Jesus son of Mary.

As for what some historians claim—that there were prophets among the Arabs such as Khālid ibn Sinān and others—this is false and has no basis.

Jesus son of Mary was a sign among the signs of Allah, as He says: “We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and We sheltered them on a height, a place of calm security and flowing water.” (23:50). He was a sign both in the way he was created and in the manner of his birth.

Regarding his creation: his mother Mary (peace be upon her) conceived him without a father. Allah sent Gabriel to her; he appeared before her as a well-proportioned man and breathed into the opening of her garment, whereupon she conceived Jesus (peace be upon him). Allah is capable of all things. The One who creates a child from a drop of fluid can just as easily create him from that single breath, as He says: “Indeed, the likeness of Jesus in the sight of Allah is like the likeness of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be!’ and he was.” (3:59).

Nothing is beyond Allah’s power. When He wills something, He merely says, “Be,” and it is. Thus Mary conceived and gave birth, and it is said that he did not remain in her womb for the usual length of time, but she