Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people 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 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 just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy." 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 ۞ When she conceived him she went away to a distant place. 22 Then the pangs of childbirth brought her to the base of the palm-tree; she said, “Oh, if only had I died before this and had become forgotten, unremembered.” 23 Then one cried unto her from underneath her, that grieve not, thy Lord hath placed underneath thou a rivulet. 24 And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. 25 Eat and drink and rejoice. And if you see any human being say, 'I have vowed a fast [of silence] to the Gracious God, and will not speak with any human being today.'" 26 She took him to her people and they said, "Mary, this is indeed an strange thing. 27 O sister of Harun: thy father was not a man of evil, nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 29 He said, "I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me to be a Prophet. 30 "And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; 31 and [has endowed me with] piety towards my mother; and He has not made me haughty or bereft of grace. 32 "Hence, peace was upon me on the day when I was born, and [will be upon me] on the day of my death, and on the day when I shall be raised to life [again]!" 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still 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 Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is 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 well they will hear and see on the day they come to Us! But the evildoers even today are in error manifest. 38 And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40