Ibrahim and His Guests — The Glad Tidings of Isaac and Sarah's Amazement
stories
Level: basic
ibrahim
st-044
Quranic context: Hud 69-74; Adh-Dhariyat 24-30
Context: The angels came to Ibrahim in the form of guests — he hastened with a roasted calf. When they did not extend their hands to eat, he felt afraid — showing he did not initially know they were angels.
The glad tidings of Isaac:
"We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob" — glad tidings of Isaac and a grandson from him simultaneously.
Sarah's amazement:
"She said: Woe to me — shall I give birth when I am an old woman and this my husband is an old man? This is a strange thing!" The angels replied: "Are you amazed at Allah's matter? The mercy of Allah and His blessings upon you, people of the house."
Lesson: Allah grants children to those who despaired of having them — Allah's glad tidings are not limited by natural means. Ibrahim's hospitality is a model for the Muslim in honoring guests.
Source: Ibn Kathir Tafsir (4/339); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (9/51)
Question: Why did Ibrahim fear his guests when they did not eat?
Answer: Because he did not know they were angels — and Arab custom was that one refuses food if coming with hostility or ill intent, so he feared they came with harm.