And mention thou in the Book Maryam, what time she retired from her people to a place eastward. 16 And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. 17 She exclaimed: "Verily, 'I seek refuge from thee with the Most Gracious! [Approach me not] if thou art conscious of Him!" 18 He replied: "I am only a messenger from your Lord (sent) to bestow a good son on you." 19 She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 20 The angel said: "Thus shall it be. Your Lord says: 'It is easy for Me; and We shall do so in order to make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us. This has been decreed.' " 21 ۞ When she conceived him she went away to a distant place. 22 And when the birthpangs came upon her by the trunk of a palmtree, she said: 'Oh, would that I had died before this and become a thing forgotten' 23 He called from below to her: 'Do not sorrow, look, your Lord has provided a rivulet below you, 24 Shake the trunk of the date-palm tree, and it will drop ripe dates for you. 25 So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' " 26 Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. They said: "O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing. 27 O sister of Haroun! your father was not a bad man, nor, was your mother an unchaste woman. 28 Thereupon Mary pointed to the child. They exclaimed: "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?" 29 [But] he said, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 And blessed me wherever I may be, and enjoined on me worship and zakat for as long as I live, 31 He has commanded me to be good to my parents and has not made me an arrogant rebellious person. 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 This is Jesus, the son of Mary; and this is the truth about him concerning which they are in doubt. 34 It does not behove God to have a son. Too immaculate is He! When He decrees a thing He has only to say: "Be", and it is. 35 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight. 36 Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about 'Iesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah] from the meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire). 37 Much will they listen and much will they see, on the Day when they come to Us, but today the unjust are in open error. 38 hence, warn them of [the coming of] the Day of Regrets, when everything will have been decided - for as yet they are heedless, and they do not believe [in it]. 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40