How can the Prophet’s hadiths that restrict the speakers in the cradle to three, using the restrictive particle “illa” (except), be reconciled with other hadiths that mention more than that, taking into account that pausing in repelling contradiction may open the door to doubts and suspicions?

The answer can be summarized in three points:

1. The authentic hadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentions only three who spoke in the cradle: Jesus, the child in Jurayj's story, and the child in the story of the nation (Ummah). Any other narrations do not contradict this authentic hadith.

2. The fundamental principle in dealing with sacred texts that appear to contradict is to first attempt to reconcile them. If reconciliation is not possible, then a preference (tarjih) is made between them. This reconciliation or preference must be based on scholarly foundations, not on forced interpretations or fabrication.

3. The apparent contradiction in some texts is not real and does not stem from a divergence in revelation. Rather, it is a result of a deficiency in understanding or knowledge on the part of some researchers. There are no two entirely contradictory authentic proofs, for the Ummah does not unanimously agree on a cessation or contradiction, and what is hidden from one scholar may be comprehended by another.