(O Muhammad), recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; 16 out of her people's sight. We sent Our Spirit to her, who stood before her in the shape of a well formed human being. 17 "I seek refuge in the Merciful from you, if you fear Him," she said. 18 "I am only the messenger of your Lord," he replied. "I shall bestow upon you the gift of a son endowed with purity." 19 Said she: "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me? - for, never have I been a loose woman!" 20 He said, "This is true but your Lord says, "It is very easy for Me. We have decided to give you a son as evidence (of Our existence) for human beings and a mercy from Us. This is a decree already ordained." 21 ۞ And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. 22 Then the birth pangs drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree and she said: "Oh, would that I had died before this and had been all forgotten." 23 Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, 24 Shake the trunk of the date-palm tree, and it will drop ripe dates for you. 25 "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'" 26 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother a loose woman!" 28 She pointed to the baby (and referred them to him for their answer). They said, "How can we talk to a baby in the cradle?" 29 [But] he said: "Behold, I am a servant of God. He has vouchsafed unto me revelation and made me a prophet, 30 And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive 31 and has made me dutiful to my mother. He has not made me oppressive, nor bereft of God's blessings. 32 Peace be upon me on the day I was born, and on the day I die; and on the day when I shall be raised up alive' 33 Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. 34 Allah is not one to take to Himself a son. Hallowed be He! whensoever He decreeth an affair he only Saith to it: be, and it becometh. 35 And [thus it was that Jesus always said]: "Verily, God is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so worship [none but] Him: this [alone] is a straight way." 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 sharp of hearing, how sharp of sight they will be when they come to Us. But today, these evil-doers are obviously lost in error. 38 But warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe! 39 Surely We shall inherit the earth and all that are upon it, and unto Us they shall be returned. 40