(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 verily seek refuge with the Compassionate from thee if thou art God-fearing. 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 boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 20 He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' " 21 ۞ When she conceived him she went away to a distant 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 (The angel) Therefore called her from below her, “Do not grieve – your Lord has made a river flow below you.” 24 And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. 25 So eat and drink thou, and cool thine eyes; and if thou beholdest the human beings anyone, say: verily I have vowed to the Compassionate a fast, so I shall not speak today to any human being. 26 Carrying her child, she brought him to her people. They said, "O Mary, you have indeed done something terrible! 27 O sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman." 28 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" 29 He said, 'Lo, I am God's servant; God has given me the Book, and made me a Prophet. 30 And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live; 31 And dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me insolent, unblessed; 32 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"! 33 This was Jesus, son of Mary: A true account they contend about. 34 It is not conceivable that God should have taken unto Himself a son: limitless is He in His glory! When He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it "Be" - and it is! 35 And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path. 36 Then the sects have differed among themselves; so woe to those who disbelieve in the witness of a Day Mighty! 37 Much will they listen and much will they see, on the Day when they come to Us, but today the unjust are in open error. 38 And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. 39 Indeed We shall inherit the earth and all that is on it, and only towards Us will they return. 40