In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
16. And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.
17. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel [i.e., Gabriel], and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.
18. She said, “Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah.”
19. He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy [i.e., son].”
20. She said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?”
21. 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.’ “
22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.
23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, “Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.”
24. But he[1] called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.
25. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.
26. So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, ‘Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.’ “
27. Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, “O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.
28. O sister [i.e., descendant] of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.”
29. So she pointed to him. They said, “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?”
30. [Jesus] said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
31. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah [2]as long as I remain alive
32. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant.
33. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.”
34. That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute.
35. It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He![3] When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.
36. [Jesus said], “And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.”
Sura 19. Maryam (Mary)
[1] There is a difference of opinion among scholars as to whether “he” refers to the baby or to the angel.
[2] It should be noted that Zakat is always associated with prayer, and was enjoined on other prophets before Islam.
[3] i.e., far removed is He from any such need.