Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty; to the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?” She said: “From God: for God provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.”

 

There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying: “O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art He that heareth prayer!”

 

While he was standing in prayer in the chamber the angels called unto him: “God doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya witnessing the truth of a Word from God and (be besides) noble chaste and a Prophet of the (goodly) company of the righteous.”

 

He said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?” “Thus” was the answer, “doth God accomplish what He willeth.”

 

He said: “O my Lord! Give me a sign!” “Thy Sign” was the answer “shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with signals. Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord again and again and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning.”

 

Section 5

 

Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! God hath chosen thee and purified thee; chosen thee above the women of all nations.

 

“O Mary! worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down.”

 

This is part of the tidings of the things unseen which We reveal unto thee (O Apostle!) by inspiration; thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary; nor wast thou with them when they disputed (the point).

 

Behold! the angels said “O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God.

 

“He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”

 

She said: “O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He said: “Even so: God createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be’ and it is!

 

“And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom the Law and the Gospel.

 

“And (appoint him) an Apostle to the Children of Israel (with this message): I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a bird and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God’s leave; and I heal those born blind and the lepers and I quicken the dead by God’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe.

 

“(I have come to you) to attest the Law which was before me and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God and obey me.

 

“It is God who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a way that is straight.”

 

When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said: “Who will be my helpers to (the work of) God?” Said the Disciples: “We are God’s helpers we believe in God and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.

 

“Our Lord! we believe in what thou hast revealed and we follow the Apostle; then write us down among those who bear witness.”

 

And (then unbelievers) plotted and planned and God too planned and the best of planners is God.