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
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰنُوحُ قَدْ جَـٰدَلْتَنَا فَأَكْثَرْتَ جِدَٰلَنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
They said, "O Noah, you have disputed [i.e., opposed] us and been frequent in dispute of us. So bring us what you threaten us, if you should be of the truthful."
وَجَآءَهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَمِن قَبْلُ كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِى هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخْزُونِ فِى ضَيْفِىٓ ۖ أَلَيْسَ مِنكُمْ رَجُلٌ رَّشِيدٌ
And his people came hastening to him, and before [this] they had been doing evil deeds. He said, "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allāh and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?"
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَـٰمٌ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ
And certainly did Our messengers [i.e., angels] come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرُونَ
Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers.