(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 16 And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. 17 She said, “I seek the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." 19 She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? 20 He said: "Thus will it be. Your Lord said: 'It is easy for Me,' and that: 'We shall make him a sign for men and a blessing from Us.' This is a thing already decreed." 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 (The angel) Therefore called her from below her, “Do not grieve – your Lord has made a river flow below you.” 24 and shake the trunk of this palmtree it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you. 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 Carrying her child, she brought him to her people. They said, "O Mary, you have indeed done something terrible! 27 Sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a woman unchaste.' 28 But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? 29 He Said: verily I am a bondman of Allah; He hath vouchsafed me the Book and made me a prophet. 30 And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive, 31 (He has made me) kind to my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. 32 Peace be upon me the day I was born and the day I will die, and the day I will be raised up alive." 33 Such was Jesus, the son of Mary. That is the whole truth, about which they still dispute: 34 God is too Exalted to have a son. When He decides to bring some thing into existence He needs only command it to exist and it comes into existence. 35 ['Iesa (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)." [Tafsir At-Tabari] 36 Yet different groups differed among themselves. How awful it will be for those who have rejected the truth when a dreadful Day arrives! 37 How wondrous in their hearing and their sight will they be the Day they come unto Us! But today the wrong doers are in error manifest. 38 Warn them of that Day of Anguish, when the matter is determined whilst heedlessly they disbelieve. 39 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40