Transliteration:( Wa nabbi'hum 'an daifi Ibraaheem )
"And tell them about Ibrahim's guests [59]"
They were Hazrat Jibrael (عليه السلام) and several angels who accompanied him. They visited the house of Hazrat Ebrahim (عليه السلام) in the form of human guests to give him the glad tidings of the birth of Hazrat Ishaaq (عليه السلام). At first, Hazrat Ebrahim (عليه السلام) did not recognize them, as they appeared in the guise of ordinary visitors.
From this emerge two important issues:
Extending hospitality is not dependent on prior acquaintance. Even strangers, if they come to your home, should be welcomed and honored as guests. This reflects the virtue and tradition of generous hospitality practiced by the prophets.
It is permissible for a Prophet not to recognize an angel if the angel has not come with Divine Revelation. However, at the moment of revelation, it is essential for the Prophet to recognize the angel, as any doubt in such a recognition would render the Revelation uncertain, which is impermissible.
51. And tell them about the guests (i. e., the angels) of Ibrahim. 52. When they entered upon him, and said: “Salaman (peace!).” He said: “Indeed we are frightened of you.” 53. They said: “Do not be afraid! We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.” 54. He said: “Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about” 55. They said: “We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.” 56. He said: “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray”
Allah is saying: `Tell them, O Muhammad, about the story of
(the guests of Ibrahim.)’
(they entered upon him, and said: “Salaman (peace!).” He said: “Indeed we are frightened of you.”) meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.
(They said: “Do not be afraid!…”) meaning, do not be scared.
(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. Then
(He said) meaning he spoke with wonder and astonishment, asking for confirmation, because he was old and his wife was old:
(Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about) They responded by confirming the good news they had brought, good news after good news:
(They said: “We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.”)
(15:51) And tell them about Abraham’s guests.[30]
30. The story of Prophets Abraham and Lot (peace be upon them) has been related to tell the disbelievers of Makkah how angels come down with truth. This was in response to their demand: Why do you not bring angels before us, if what you say is true? (Surah Al-Hijr, ayat 7). Then, only this brief answer was given: We do not send down angels in this way. When they come down, they come down with truth (Surah Al-Hijr, ayat 8). Now these two events are cited as two concrete forms of truth with which the angels came, as if to ask the disbelievers: Now decide for yourselves which of these two forms of truth would you want angels to bring to you. It is obvious that you do not deserve that truth which was sent to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). Do you then desire that truth which the angels brought to the people of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him)?
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