AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 and drew a curtain, screening herself from people whereupon We sent to her Our spirit and he appeared to her as a well-shaped man. 17 She said, 'I take refuge in the All-merciful from thee! 18 He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." 19 She said: When shall I have a boy and no mortal has yet touched me, nor have I been unchaste? 20 He said, "This is true but your Lord says, "It is very easy for Me. We have decided to give you a son as evidence (of Our existence) for human beings and a mercy from Us. This is a decree already ordained." 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote 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 But the one that was below her called to her, 'Nay, do not sorrow; see, thy Lord has set below thee a rivulet. 24 "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 25 So eat and drink thou, and cool thine eyes; and if thou beholdest the human beings anyone, say: verily I have vowed to the Compassionate a fast, so I shall not speak today to any human being. 26 Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing). 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a loose woman!" 28 So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?" 29 He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; 30 And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive 31 And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. 32 I was born with peace and I shall die and be brought to life again with peace." 33 That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute. 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 God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone. That is the right path. 36 But the parties have fallen into variance among themselves; then woe to those who disbelieve for the scene of a dreadful day. 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 thou them of the day of anguish, when the matter shall be determined, and they yet heedless and unbelieving. 39 Surely We inherit the earth and all those who are on it, and to Us they shall be returned. 40