Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. 16 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. 17 She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah." 18 He said: I am only a messenger of your Lord: That I will give you a pure boy. 19 Mary said: "How can a boy be born to me when no man has even touched me, nor have I ever been unchaste?" 20 The angel said: "Thus shall it be. Your Lord says: 'It is easy for Me; and We shall do so in order to make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us. This has been decreed.' " 21 ۞ and in time she conceived him, and then she withdrew with him to a far-off place. 22 And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! 23 But a voice called out to her from below, "Do not despair. Your Lord has provided a brook that runs at your feet, 24 And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. 25 Therefore eat and drink and rejoice with your eyes. If you meet any human say to him: "I have vowed a fast to the Merciful and will not speak with anyone today.' 26 Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. They said: "O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing. 27 Aaron's sister, your father was not a bad 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, "I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me to be a Prophet. 30 And He hath made me blest wheresoever I may be, and enjoined on me the prayer and the poor-rate as long as I am alive. 31 and has made me dutiful to my mother. He has not made me oppressive, nor bereft of God's blessings. 32 And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive." 33 This is Jesus, the son of Mary; and this is the truth about him concerning which they are in doubt. 34 It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. 35 Surely God is my Lord, and your Lord; So serve you Him. This is a straight path. 36 But parties from among them disagreed with each other, so woe to those who disbelieve, because of presence on a great day. 37 (Muhammad), how clearly they will hear and see on the day when they will be brought into Our presence. Today the wrong doers are in manifest error. 38 Warn them of the woeful day when the final decree will be issued; they are neglectful and faithless. 39 Ultimately, We shall inherit the earth and whatever is on it; to Us shall they be returned. 40