Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place 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 She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing. 18 "I am only the messenger of your Lord," he replied. "I shall bestow upon you the gift of a son endowed with purity." 19 She said, "How can I have a son when no man has touched me; and neither have I been unchaste?" 20 He said, “So it is; your Lord has said, ‘This is easy for Me’; and in order that We make him a sign for mankind and a Mercy from Us; and this matter has been decreed.” 21 ۞ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). 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 Thereupon the angel below her cried out: "Grieve not, for your Lord has caused a stream of water to flow beneath you. 24 "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. 25 So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 26 Carrying her child, she brought him to her people. They said, "O Mary, you have indeed done something terrible! 27 O sister of Harun: thy father was not a man of evil, nor was thy mother a harlot. 28 So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?" 29 The child cried out: "Verily I am Allah's servant. He has granted me the Book and has 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 "And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. 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 Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 It does not behove God to have a son. Too immaculate is He! When He decrees a thing He has only to say: "Be", and it is. 35 Surely God is my Lord, and your Lord; So serve you Him. This is a 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 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 Verily! We will inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon. And to Us they all shall be returned, 40