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
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ
And thus is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the cities while they are committing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُم مَّآ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّى قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَفِيظٌ
But if you turn away, then I have already conveyed that with which I was sent to you. My Lord will give succession to a people other than you, and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian."
فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا نَرَىٰكَ إِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَىٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِىَ ٱلرَّأْىِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍۭ بَلْ نَظُنُّكُمْ كَـٰذِبِينَ
So the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars."
أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ
That you not worship except Allāh. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful day."