Recount in the Book how Mary withdrew from her people to an eastern place 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 just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy." 19 She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not 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 ۞ So she conceived him, and she went away with him to a far 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 (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 date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 25 Eat and drink, and be at peace. If you see any man, tell him: 'I have verily vowed a fast to Ar-Rahman and cannot speak to any one this day.' 26 She took him to her people and they said, "Mary, this is indeed an strange thing. 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a loose woman!" 28 Mary pointed to the child then; but they said, 'How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?' 29 He said, 'Lo, I am God's servant; God has given 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 And be dutiful to my mother. He has not made me haughty or rebellious. 32 "Hence, peace was upon me on the day when I was born, and [will be upon me] on the day of my death, and on the day when I shall be raised to life [again]!" 33 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, "Be," and it is. 35 God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone. That is the right path. 36 Yet the sectarians differed among themselves. Alas for the unbelievers when they see the Terrible Day! 37 How well will they hear and see [the truth] on the Day when they come before Us! Today, however, these evildoers are obviously lost in error: 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 Lo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned. 40