(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 16 and she took a veil apart from them; then We sent unto her Our Spirit that presented himself to her a man without fault. 17 She said: I verily seek refuge with the Compassionate from thee if thou art God-fearing. 18 He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. 19 She said, "How can I have a son when no mortal has touched me nor am I an unchaste 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; then withdrew herself with him to a remote place. 22 And the birthpangs surprised her by the trunk of the palm-tree. She said, 'Would I had died ere this, and become a thing forgotten!' 23 Then one cried unto her from underneath her, that grieve not, thy Lord hath placed underneath thou a rivulet. 24 and shake the trunk of this palmtree it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you. 25 Therefore eat and drink and rejoice with your eyes. If you meet any human say to him: "I have vowed a fast to the Merciful and will not speak with anyone today.' 26 She came to her nation, carrying him; and they said: 'O Mary, you have committed a monstrous thing. 27 Sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a woman unchaste.' 28 Thereupon Mary pointed to the child. They exclaimed: "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?" 29 He Said: verily I am a bondman of Allah; He hath vouchsafed me the Book and made me a prophet. 30 "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live." 31 And dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me insolent, unblessed; 32 There was peace on me the day I was born, and will be the day I die, and on the day I will be raised from the dead." 33 SUCH WAS, in the words of truth, Jesus the son of Mary, about whose nature they so deeply disagree. 34 It is not for Allah to take a son! Exaltations to Him! When He decrees a thing He only says: 'Be' and it is. 35 [Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path." 36 Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved - from the scene of a tremendous Day. 37 How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest! 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