And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. 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 She exclaimed: "Verily, 'I seek refuge from thee with the Most Gracious! [Approach me not] if thou art conscious of Him!" 18 He said, "I am the Messengers of your Lord. I have come to give you a purified son". 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): 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 and withdrew with him to a distant place. 22 The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said, "Oh, if only I had died before this and passed into oblivion!" 23 Then (the child) called out to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely your Lord has made a stream to flow beneath you; 24 And shake towards you the trunk of the palmtree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates: 25 So eat and drink and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent Allah, so I shall not speak to any man today. 26 Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. 27 O sister of Aaron, your father was never an evil man, nor was your mother unchaste' 28 She pointed to the child. They said, "How shall we talk to someone who is a child 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 He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; 31 He has commanded me to be good to my parents and has not made me an arrogant rebellious person. 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 is 'lsa, son of Maryam: this is the word of truth wherein they are doubting. 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 [Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path." 36 But the parties have fallen into variance among themselves; then woe to those who disbelieve for the scene of a dreadful day. 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 Warn them of that Day of Anguish, when the matter is determined whilst heedlessly they disbelieve. 39 Surely We inherit the earth and all those who are on it, and to Us they shall be returned. 40