(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 16 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. 17 (And when she saw him) she said: 'I take refuge in the Merciful from you! If you are fearful' 18 'I am the Messenger of your Lord' he replied, 'and have come to give you a pure boy' 19 'How shall I bear a son' she answered, 'when I am not touched by a human and not unchaste' 20 He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah). 21 ۞ Thereupon she carried him, and retired to a far off 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 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 the palm-tree towards thee: it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon thee. 25 “Therefore eat and drink and appease your eyes; so if you meet any person then say, ‘I have pledged a fast (of silence) to the Most Gracious – I will therefore not speak to any person today.’” 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 O sister of Aaron, your father was never an evil 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 "I am a servant of God," he answered. "He has given me a Book and made me a prophet, 30 “And He has made me blessed wherever I be; and ordained upon me prayer and charity, as long as I live.” 31 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 32 Blessed was I on the day I was born, and blessed I shall be on the day I die and on the day I am raised to life again." 33 This is Jesus, the son of Mary; and this is the truth about him concerning which they are in doubt. 34 It befits not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allah, by saying that 'Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "Be!" and it is. 35 (Baby Jesus said), "Worship God who is my Lord as well as yours. This is the straight path". 36 The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful 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 And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe. 39 Surely We inherit the earth and all those who are on it, and to Us they shall be returned. 40