And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. 16 So she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man. 17 Mary said, "Would that the Beneficent God would protect me from you. Leave me alone if you are a God fearing person". 18 He said, “I am indeed one sent by your Lord; so that I may give you a chaste son.” 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: Even so; your Lord says: It is easy to Me: and that We may make him a sign to men and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter which has been decreed. 21 ۞ Thereupon she carried him, and retired to a far off place. 22 And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, 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 Eat, then, and drink, and let thine eye be gladdened! And if thou shouldst see any human being, convey this unto him: 'Behold, abstinence from speech have I vowed unto the Most Gracious; hence, I may not speak today to any mortal. 26 She took him to her people and they said, "Mary, this is indeed an strange thing. 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 Thereupon she pointed to him. They exclaimed: "How can we talk to one who [as yet] is a little boy in the cradle?" 29 He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He 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 (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. 32 Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 it does not befit the majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! He is far above that: when He decrees something, He says only, "Be!" and it is. 35 And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord; so worship Him; this is a way 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 See and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are today in error manifest. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 We are the heirs of the earth and those living in it will all return to Us. 40