Juz 12: Hūd 6 to Yūsuf 52
Section 10 of 19 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Story of Prophet Ibrahim and the Angels
The narrative of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in Surah Hood represents one of the most profound episodes in Quranic storytelling. This account begins after Allah's descriptions of previous prophets and their nations, serving as both a historical account and a spiritual lesson.
In this story, Allah's angels visit Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in human form. The visit begins with a display of Ibrahim's exemplary hospitality—a tradition that would become characteristic of his legacy. When the angels arrive at his home, Ibrahim immediately attends to them without questioning their identity:
وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ بِالْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا سَلَامًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَامٌ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ
“And Our messengers came to Ibrahim with the good news. They said, "Peace." He said, "Peace." Then, it was not long before he brought a roasted calf. [11:69]”
The etiquette demonstrated here establishes the Ibrahimic approach to hospitality—responding to greeting with equal or better greeting, and hastening to provide food without asking whether the guests desire it. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) does not inquire if his visitors are hungry but immediately prepares a roasted calf for them. This sets a profound standard for Muslim hospitality—one should offer without asking, present without compelling consumption, and avoid any expressions of disappointment if the guest declines.
When Ibrahim (peace be upon him) notices that his guests do not extend their hands toward the food, he grows apprehensive:
فَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ أَيْدِيَهُمْ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً ۚ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ" *
“But when he saw that their hands were not extending towards it, he found them strange and felt scared of them. They said, "Do not fear. We have been sent to the people of Lut.”
In the customs of that time, refusing to partake of offered food often indicated hostile intentions. However, the angels quickly reassure Ibrahim that they are messengers sent to the people of Lut. Then, they deliver astonishing news—his wife Sarah would bear a child despite her advanced age:
وَامْرَأَتُهُ قَائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبَ
“And his wife was standing (nearby) and she laughed. So, We gave her the good news about Ishaq, and about Yaqub after Ishaq. [11:71]”
This announcement elicits disbelief from Sarah, who exclaims:
قَالَتْ يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ أَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا عَجُوزٌ وَهَٰذَا بَعْلِي شَيْخًا ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عَجِيبٌ
“She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this is my husband, an old man? This is something amazing indeed." [11:72]”
The angels, recognizing her astonishment, respond:
قَالُوا أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۖ رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ ۚ إِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَّجِيدٌ
“They said, "Do you wonder at Allah's command? Allah's mercy and His blessings are upon you, O people of the house. Surely, He is Praiseworthy, Glorious." [11:73]”
This miraculous birth announcement parallels the story of Zakariya (peace be upon him) who also received news of a child in his old age. Such divine interventions demonstrate Allah's absolute power over the natural order of creation. What humans perceive as impossible becomes possible through Allah's command. The response of the angels—"Do you wonder at Allah's command?"—serves as a profound reminder that nothing lies beyond Allah's capability.
After delivering this joyous news, Ibrahim's thoughts turn to the people of Lut, and he begins to plead for them:
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبَ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الرَّوْعُ وَجَاءَتْهُ الْبُشْرَىٰ يُجَادِلُنَا فِي قَوْمِ لُوطٍ
“So when fear left Ibrahim and the good news came to him, he started pleading with Us for the people of Lut. [11:74]”
This sequence demonstrates Ibrahim's compassionate nature—even amid personal blessing, he remains concerned for others. His pleading for the people of Lut reveals his merciful character and dedication to calling people to righteous conduct, attributes that define his prophetic mission.