The Fatimid Ismaili jurist Qadi al-Nu’man also contributed to the narrative, explaining that the virgin birth of Jesus is meant to be interpreted symbolically. In his interpretation, Mary was the follower ("lāḥiq"), of the Imam Joachim (‘Imran). However, when Joachim realized that she was not suited for the "Imamah", he passed it to Zechariah, who then passed it to John the Baptist. Meanwhile, Mary received spiritual inspiration ("mādda") from God, revealing that he would invite a man the faith who would become an exalted Speaker ("nāṭiq") of a revealed religion ("sharīʿa"). According to al-Nu’man, the verses “She said: Lord! How can I have a child when no man has touched me?” () and “neither have I been unchaste” () are symbolic of Mary's saying, “How can I conduct the invitation ("daʿwa") when the Imam of the Time has not given me permission to do so?” and “Nor shall I be unfaithful by acting against his command”, respectively. To this, a celestial hierarch replies “Such is God. He creates causes to pass what he wills” (Quran 3:47).