Tafsir of Maryam 19:12

(O John, take the Scripture) – this is based on an implied statement, and another discourse omitted to hasten the reporting of the fulfillment of the noble promise. That is: when he was born and reached the age at which one is commanded, We said, "O John, take the Scripture" (meaning the Torah). Ibn Atiyyah claimed consensus on this, based on the premise that the [definite article] al- denotes familiarity, and there was nothing familiar at that time other than it, for the Gospel did not exist then. This is not as he claimed; rather, it has been said that he (peace be upon him) had a scripture specifically for him, just as many prophets (peace be upon them) were specifically distinguished with the same. It has also been said that the intended meaning of "the Scripture" is the Scrolls of Abraham (peace be upon him), and it has been said that the intended meaning is the generic category; that is, the Books of Allah Almighty.

(With power) – with diligence, steadfastness, and action according to what is in it. The speaker of this is Allah Almighty, through the tongue of an angel, as is common in divine address to the prophets (peace be upon them). Al-Tabrizi took a far-fetched position by implying that his father said to him when he reached youth and grew up: "O John, etc." What makes his view even more far-fetched is the saying of the Almighty: (And We gave him judgment while yet a child).

Abu Nu'aym, Ibn Marduyah, and al-Daylami reported from Ibn Abbas, from the Prophet (peace be upon him), that he said regarding this: "He was given understanding and worship while he was seven years old." It also came in another narration from him, also attributed to the Prophet (marfu'), that the boys said to John son of Zechariah (peace be upon them both): "Come, let us play." He replied: "Were we created for play? Let us go pray." This is the meaning of the saying of the Almighty: (And We gave him judgment while yet a child).

The apparent meaning of "judgment" (al-hukm) here is wisdom. It has also been said that it means intellect, or knowledge of the etiquettes of service, or truthful discernment (firasah), or prophecy. The latter is held by many; they said he was given it while he was seven, or three, or two years old. Most prophets (peace be upon them) were not given prophecy before the age of forty. This sentence is a conjunction linked to the implied "We said."