وَنَبِّئْهُمْ عَن ضَيْفِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ 51
Translations
And inform them about the guests of Abraham,
Transliteration
Wa-nabbiʾhum ʿan ḍayfi Ibrāhīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to inform the people about the story of Abraham's guests, which refers to the angels who visited Abraham in human form. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this passage introduces the miraculous account of Abraham's hospitality and the glad tidings of Isaac's birth that followed. The narrative demonstrates Abraham's exemplary conduct toward guests and serves as a prelude to the destruction of the people of Lot, as these same angels were sent on multiple missions.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan surah that contains several stories of the prophets and divine warnings. The context is thematic rather than tied to a specific historical event; it serves to remind the Meccan audience of God's signs through the stories of previous prophets, particularly Abraham's faith and righteousness. The story that follows (verses 51-56) is a complete narrative unit about Abraham's guests and their message.
Related Hadiths
The story of Abraham's guests is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3371) where the Prophet describes Abraham's hospitality and the angels' visit. Additionally, Surah Al-Adiyat and related ahadith emphasize the virtue of showing kindness to guests, which is reflected in Abraham's conduct in this narrative.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us the importance of honoring guests and showing generous hospitality, as exemplified by Prophet Abraham, one of the most honored servants of Allah. It reminds believers that apparent acts of kindness and righteousness are part of Allah's divine plan, and that God rewards those who maintain their faith and virtue even in testing circumstances.