Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place 16 We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human. 17 Mary said, "Would that the Beneficent God would protect me from you. Leave me alone if you are a God fearing person". 18 "I am only the messenger of your Lord," he replied. "I shall bestow upon you the gift of a son endowed with purity." 19 She said, "How can I have a son when no mortal has touched me nor am I an unchaste woman". 20 He said, 'Even so thy Lord has said: "Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a sign unto men and a mercy from Us; it is a thing decreed."' 21 ۞ Then she conceived him, and she retired with him to a place far-off. 22 The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said, "Oh, if only I had died before this and passed into oblivion!" 23 But the one that was below her called to her, 'Nay, do not sorrow; see, thy Lord has set below thee a rivulet. 24 Shake also to thee the palm-trunk, and there shall come tumbling upon thee dates fresh and ripe. 25 “Therefore eat and drink and appease your eyes; so if you meet any person then say, ‘I have pledged a fast (of silence) to the Most Gracious – I will therefore not speak to any person today.’” 26 Then she brought him to her nation carrying him. They said: Maryam! assuredly thou hast brought a thing unheard Of. 27 O sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman." 28 But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? 29 The child cried out: "Verily I am Allah's servant. He has granted me the Book and has 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 And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive." 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 It does not befit Allah to take for Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing He only says: "Be" and it is. 35 (Baby Jesus said), "Worship God who is my Lord as well as yours. This is the straight path". 36 (The followers of Jesus) turned themselves into quarrelling sects. The disbelievers shall face a woeful condition on the great Day (of Judgment). 37 How well shall they hear and how well shall they see on the Day they come to Us! But today the evil-doers are in manifest error. 38 Warn them of that day of pining when all matters will have been settled, though they would still be unaware and unbelieving (of the truth). 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40