nor could he prick Him1. We have seen that, according to the Qur'an, Christ did not
die, and that He was taken up alive to Heaven, where He still lives2. We have also
noticed that to Him alone of the prophets no sin is ascribed. He did not need to have His breast
cleansed, His burden removed, or to ask forgiveness of His sins. Besides all this, the Qur'an
acknowledges that Jesus was born of a virgin (Surahs LXVI., At Tahrim, 12; XXI., Al Anbiya', 91;
XIX., Maryam, 16-22; III., Al 'Imran, 40-42), through God's Spirit (Surah XXI., Al Anbiya', 91), and
was strengthened with the Holy Spirit (Surah II., Al Baqarah, 81, 254). These things are said of no
other prophet3.
117. M. Why do you make so much of Jesus' birth from a virgin? The Qur'an teaches us that,
no doubt: but it also teaches us that Adam had neither father nor mother. Ought he not then to be
preferred to Christ, with whom we have seen that the Qur'an compares him, doubtless for this very
reason, as commentators say?
C. If that is the reason of the comparison, why do Muslims try to explain the verse (Surah
III.,