AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 and drew a curtain, screening herself from people whereupon We sent to her Our spirit and he appeared to her as a well-shaped man. 17 She said, 'I take refuge in the All-merciful from thee! 18 He said: "I am just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy." 19 'How shall I bear a son' she answered, 'when I am not touched by a human and not unchaste' 20 "Even so" he replied, "as such your Lord has said: 'Easy it is for Me. And We shall make him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us. It is a matter decreed.'" 21 ۞ Thereupon she carried him, and retired to a far off place. 22 And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! 23 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 25 Therefore eat and drink and rejoice with your eyes. If you meet any human say to him: "I have vowed a fast to the Merciful and will not speak with anyone today.' 26 She took him to her people and they said, "Mary, this is indeed an strange thing. 27 Sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman!" 28 Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 29 He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; 30 "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live." 31 and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. 32 "Hence, peace was upon me on the day when I was born, and [will be upon me] on the day of my death, and on the day when I shall be raised to life [again]!" 33 This is Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam; a true statement, in which they doubt. 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 ['Iesa (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)." [Tafsir At-Tabari] 36 But the parties have fallen into variance among themselves, then woe to those who disbelieve for the scene of a Dreadful Day. 37 How well they will hear and see on the Day when they come before Us! The evildoers are today in clear error. 38 And warn them of the day of intense regret, when the matter shall have been decided; and they are (now) in negligence and they do not believe. 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40