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 "I seek refuge in the Merciful from you, if you fear Him," she said. 18 He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. 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 ۞ She conceived the child and retreated with him to a distant and solitary place. 22 The birth pangs led her to the trunk of a date-palm tree. "Would that I had died before this," she said, "and become a thing forgotten, unremembered." 23 Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, 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 Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. 27 Sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman!" 28 Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 29 [Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. 30 He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving throughout my life. 31 and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. 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 Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they dispute bitterly. 34 It does not behove God to have a son. Too immaculate is He! When He decrees a thing He has only to say: "Be", and it is. 35 And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right 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 How well they will hear and see on the Day when they come before Us! The evildoers are today in clear error. 38 And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe. 39 Verily! We will inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon. And to Us they all shall be returned, 40