Transliteration:( Wa nabbi'hum 'an daifi Ibraaheem )
59. They were Hazrat Jibrael (On whom be peace) and some angels who had accompanied him, who had gone to the house of Hazrat Ebrahim (On whom be peace) in the guise of guests to give him glad tidings about the birth of Hazrat Ishaaq (On whom be peace). They were not recognized by Hazrat Ebrahim (On whom be peace).Â
From this emerge two issues:
1. Extending hospitability is not dependent on acquaintance, even if strangers come to you, they should be accepted as guestsÂ
2. It is permissible for a Prophet not to recognize an angel if he has not come with Divine Revelation. At the time of Revelation it is absolutely necessary for the Prophet to recognize the angel, otherwise that Revelation would be doubtful.
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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 astrayâ€
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.â€) 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!…â€) 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.â€)
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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