Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. 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 verily seek refuge with the Compassionate from thee if thou art God-fearing. 18 (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son." 19 She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?" 20 He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': It is a matter (so) decreed." 21 ۞ So she conceived him; then withdrew herself with him to a remote place. 22 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." 23 Thereupon [a voice] called out to her from beneath that [palm-tree]: "Grieve not! Thy Sustainer has provided a rivulet [running] beneath thee; 24 "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon 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 brought the child to her people. They exclaimed: "O Mary, you have done a most astonishing thing! 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 So she pointed to him (Prophet Jesus). But they replied: 'How can we speak with a baby in the cradle' 29 He said, 'Lo, I am God's servant; God has given me the Book, and made me a Prophet. 30 And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive, 31 and has made me dutiful to my mother. He has not made me oppressive, nor bereft of God's blessings. 32 Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 33 That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute. 34 It befits not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allah, by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "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 The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day. 37 How clearly shall they hear and how clearly shall they see on the day when they come to Us; but the unjust this day are in manifest error. 38 And warn them of the Day of Regret when the matter will have been decided; and they are in neglect, and they do not accept faith. 39 Indeed, it is We who will inherit the earth and whoever is on it, and to Us they will be returned. 40