AND CALL to mind, through this divine writ, Mary. Lo! She withdrew from her family to an eastern place 16 Then she took beside them a curtain; then We sent unto her Our Spirit, and he took unto her the form of a human being sound. 17 She said, “I seek the refuge of the Most Gracious from you – if you fear God.” 18 He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. 19 She said, “How can I bear a son? No man has ever touched me, nor am I of poor conduct!” 20 He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah). 21 ۞ and in time she conceived him, and then she withdrew with him to a far-off place. 22 And [when] the throes of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree, she exclaimed: "Oh, would that I had died ere this, and had become a thing forgotten, utterly forgotten!" 23 But the one that was below her called to her, 'Nay, do not sorrow; see, thy Lord has set below thee a rivulet. 24 Shake also to thee the palm-trunk, and there shall come tumbling upon thee dates fresh and ripe. 25 Eat, drink, and rejoice. Should you see a person going by, tell him that on this day you have promised the Beneficent God to fast and never talk to any human being." 26 She came to her nation, carrying him; and they said: 'O Mary, you have committed a monstrous thing. 27 O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 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, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; 30 Blessed He has made me, wherever I may be; and He has enjoined me to pray, and to give the alms, so long as I live, 31 And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. 32 Blessed was I on the day I was born, and blessed I shall be on the day I die and on the day I am raised to life again." 33 SUCH WAS, in the words of truth, Jesus the son of Mary, about whose nature they so deeply disagree. 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 Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord therefore worship Him. That is the Straight Path. 36 Yet the sectarians differed among themselves. Alas for the unbelievers when they see the Terrible Day! 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 Surely We inherit the earth and all those who are on it, and to Us they shall be returned. 40