Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place 16 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. 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 She said: When shall I have a boy and no mortal has yet touched me, nor have I been unchaste? 20 He said: even so! Thy Lord saith: it is with Me easy, and it is in order that We may make him a sign unto mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is an affair decreed. 21 ۞ and in time she conceived him, and then she withdrew with him to a far-off place. 22 Then the birth pangs drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree and she said: "Oh, would that I had died before this and had been all forgotten." 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 If you shake the trunk of the palm tree, it will provide you with fresh ripe dates. 25 "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'" 26 She took him to her people and they said, "Mary, this is indeed an strange thing. 27 “O sister of Haroon, neither was your father an evil man nor was your mother of poor conduct!” 28 Mary pointed to the child then; but they said, 'How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?' 29 He Said: verily I am a bondman of Allah; He hath vouchsafed me the Book and made me a prophet. 30 And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live; 31 And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. 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, in the words of truth, Jesus the son of Mary, about whose nature they so deeply disagree. 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 And [thus it was that Jesus always said]: "Verily, God is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so worship [none but] Him: this [alone] is a straight way." 36 The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day. 37 How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest! 38 Warn them of that Day of Anguish, when the matter is determined whilst heedlessly they disbelieve. 39 Ultimately, We shall inherit the earth and whatever is on it; to Us shall they be returned. 40