إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمْ وَجِلُونَ 52
Translations
When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "Indeed, we are fearful [i.e., apprehensive] of you."
Transliteration
Idh dakhaloo alayhi faqaloo salaman qala inna minkum wajiloon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when the angels visited Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) in the form of guests. When they greeted him with 'As-salaam alaikum' (peace be upon you), Ibrahim responded that he was afraid of them, indicating his initial apprehension at their arrival. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that Ibrahim's fear was natural human anxiety upon encountering strangers, though he would soon recognize them as messengers of God. This moment illustrates the test of hospitality and the gradual unveiling of divine purpose through these angelic visitors.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Ibrahim's guests in Surah Al-Hijr, which recounts the well-known story from Surah Al-Anbiya and other surahs. The Meccan context emphasizes lessons for the Prophet Muhammad and the believers about faith, hospitality, and trust in Allah's plan, particularly relevant during the early trials of the Islamic community in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ibrahim's hospitality and the angels' visit is mentioned in various ahadith emphasizing the virtue of hospitality. Related is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about the importance of welcoming guests, as Ibrahim exemplified supreme hospitality despite his initial fear.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine faith does not eliminate natural human emotions like caution or fear, but rather how we respond to such feelings with trust in Allah's wisdom and openness to His guidance. It reminds believers that sometimes what we initially fear becomes a blessing, and that extending hospitality and kindness to others—especially strangers—is a fundamental Islamic virtue.