(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 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 When she saw him, she said, "I seek refuge in the compassionate God from you; [do not come near] if you fear the Lord." 18 He said: I am but a messenger from thy Lord that I may bestow on thee a boy pure. 19 She said, "How can I have a son when no man has touched me; and neither have I been unchaste?" 20 He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' " 21 ۞ and in time she conceived him, and then she withdrew with him to a far-off 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 He called from below to her: 'Do not sorrow, look, your Lord has provided a rivulet below you, 24 and if you shake the trunk of this palm-tree, it will drop fresh ripe dates on you. 25 "So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day. 26 And in time she returned to her people, carrying the child with her. They said: "O Mary! Thou hast indeed done an amazing thing! 27 Aaron's sister, your father was not a bad man nor was your mother unchaste". 28 Thereupon she pointed towards the child; they said, “How can we speak to an infant who is in the cradle?” 29 "He ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture 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 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 32 Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up alive!' 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 God is too Exalted to have a son. When He decides to bring some thing into existence He needs only command it to exist and it comes into existence. 35 (Jesus only said:) "Surely God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is the straight path." 36 And yet, the sects [that follow the Bible] are at variance among themselves [about the nature of Jesus Woe, then, unto all who deny the truth when that awesome Day will appear! 37 How sharp of hearing, how sharp of sight they will be when they come to Us. But today, these evil-doers are obviously lost in error. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 It is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned. 40