AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human. 17 She said, “I seek the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. 19 Said she: "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me? - for, never have I been a loose woman!" 20 He said, "This is true but your Lord says, "It is very easy for Me. We have decided to give you a son as evidence (of Our existence) for human beings and a mercy from Us. This is a decree already ordained." 21 ۞ When she conceived him she went away to a distant place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!" 23 Then (the child) called out to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely your Lord has made a stream to flow beneath you; 24 and if you shake the trunk of this palm-tree, it will drop fresh ripe dates on you. 25 Eat therefore, and drink, and be comforted; and if thou shouldst see any mortal, say, "I have vowed to the All-merciful a fast, and today I will not speak to any man. 26 So carrying him in her arms, she brought him to her people; they said, “O Maryam, you have indeed committed a great evil!” 27 O sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked person, nor your mother sinful!" 28 Then she Pointed to him. They said: how shall we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child? 29 The child cried out: "Verily I am Allah's servant. He has granted me the Book and has made me a Prophet 30 He made me to be blessed wherever I am, and He has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live. 31 He has commanded me to be good to my parents and has not made me an arrogant rebellious person. 32 "And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!" 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. 35 (Jesus had said): "Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him alone. This is the Straight Way." 36 Then the sects have differed among themselves; so woe to those who disbelieve in the witness of a Day Mighty! 37 (Muhammad), how clearly they will hear and see on the day when they will be brought into Our presence. Today the wrong doers are in manifest error. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned. 40