فَلَمَّا رَءَآ أَيْدِيَهُمْ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً ۚ قَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ 70
Translations
But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot."
Transliteration
Falamma raa aidiyahum la tasilu ilayhi nakirahum wa awjasa minhum khifah. Qalu la takhaf inna ursilna ila qawmi Lut.
Tafsir (Explanation)
When Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saw that the angels' hands were not reaching toward the food he had prepared, he became suspicious of them and felt fear. The angels immediately reassured him, saying 'Do not fear; we have been sent to the people of Lot.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Ibrahim's recognition that they did not eat—a characteristic of humans—alerted him to their supernatural nature, which initially caused him anxiety until they revealed their divine mission.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Ibrahim's encounter with the angels who came to give him glad tidings of Isaac and to inform him of their mission to destroy the people of Lot. The surah contextualizes this event within Ibrahim's life and his interactions with his Lord, demonstrating divine communication and purpose.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3371) narrates that Ibrahim prepared a roasted calf for his guests and was troubled when they did not eat, which corresponds to this moment of recognition and initial fear mentioned in the ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
When facing the unknown or unusual, believers should remain cautious but open to divine guidance; reassurance from Allah comes to those who recognize His signs. This teaches us that initial confusion or fear can be transformed through understanding of Allah's purpose and wisdom.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لَا تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
The Day it comes no soul will speak except by His permission. And among them will be the wretched and the prosperous.
قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنْهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him...? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allāh. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.
وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ
And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate."
قَالُوا۟ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِى بَنَاتِكَ مِنْ حَقٍّ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ
They said, "You have already known that we have not concerning your daughters [i.e., women] any claim [i.e., desire], and indeed, you know what we want."