Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. 16 We sent to her Our Spirit (Gabriel) in the resemblance of a perfect human. 17 (And when she saw him) she said: 'I take refuge in the Merciful from you! If you are fearful' 18 He said: I am but a messenger from thy Lord that I may bestow on thee a boy pure. 19 Said she: "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me? - for, never have I been a loose woman!" 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, and she retired with him to a remote place. 22 And [when] the throes of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree, she exclaimed: "Oh, would that I had died ere this, and had become a thing forgotten, utterly 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 refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent Allah, so I shall not speak to any man today. 26 Carrying her child, she brought him to her people. They said, "O Mary, you have indeed done something terrible! 27 Aaron's sister, your father was not a bad man nor was your mother unchaste". 28 Then she Pointed to him. They said: how shall we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child? 29 He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 Blessed He has made me, wherever I may be; and He has enjoined me to pray, and to give the alms, so 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 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"! 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 It beseems not Allah that He should take to Himself a son, glory to be Him; when He has decreed a matter He only says to it "Be," and it is. 35 And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord; so worship Him; this is a way straight. 36 But different parties began to dispute with one another. A dreadful woe awaits on that great Day for those that reject the Truth. 37 How keenly would they hear and see when they come before Us then, even though today the evil-doers are lost in palpable 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 We are the heirs of the earth and those living in it will all return to Us. 40