قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ رَحْمَتُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَـٰتُهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ ٱلْبَيْتِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَمِيدٌ مَّجِيدٌ 73
Translations
They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allāh? May the mercy of Allāh and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable."
Transliteration
Qalū a-ta'jabīna min amri -llāhi raḥmatu -llāhi wa barakātuhū 'alaykum ahla -l-bayti innahu ḥamīdun majīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels respond to Sarah's amazement at the promise of a son in her old age, reminding her not to be astonished at Allah's power and divine decree. They invoke blessings upon the household of Abraham and Sarah, emphasizing that Allah's mercy and blessings are boundless, and He is worthy of all praise and glory. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this passage demonstrates how Allah's promises transcend human expectations and natural limitations, and the special honor granted to the righteous family of Abraham.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Abraham's guests (the angels) bringing glad tidings of Isaac's birth. Sarah responds with amazement and concern given her advanced age, and the angels reassure her of Allah's complete power over all matters. The broader surah emphasizes divine mercy, prophecy, and the testing of faith.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that the Prophet Muhammad said, 'The best women are Khadijah, Fatimah, Asiyah (wife of Pharaoh), and Mary (mother of Jesus)' - reflecting the honor given to righteous women of faith similar to Sarah. Additionally, hadiths emphasize the virtue of the Ahl al-Bayt (People of the Household) as recipients of divine blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to never underestimate Allah's ability to fulfill His promises, regardless of apparent human impossibilities, and to maintain unwavering trust in His divine plan. It reminds us that righteous families are recipients of special divine blessings and that our amazement at Allah's miracles should transform into gratitude and submission to His infinite wisdom.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ فُرِجَتْ
And when the heaven is opened
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى رَفَعَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ۖ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ
It is Allāh who erected the heavens without pillars that you [can] see; then He established Himself above the Throne and made subject the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. He arranges [each] matter; He details the signs that you may, of the meeting with your Lord, be certain.
وَتَسِيرُ ٱلْجِبَالُ سَيْرًا
And the mountains will pass on, departing -
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ فَالِقُ ٱلْحَبِّ وَٱلنَّوَىٰ ۖ يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَمُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتِ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ
Indeed, Allāh is the cleaver of grain and date seeds. He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living. That is Allāh; so how are you deluded?