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
ٱللَّهُ يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Allāh begins creation; then He will repeat it; then to Him you will be returned.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا وَءَابَآؤُنَآ أَئِنَّا لَمُخْرَجُونَ
And those who disbelieve say, "When we have become dust as well as our forefathers, will we indeed be brought out [of the graves]?
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يَجْمَعُكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Say, "Allāh causes you to live, then causes you to die; then He will assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt, but most of the people do not know."
۞ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ قَادِرٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَهُمْ أَجَلًا لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ فَأَبَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِلَّا كُفُورًا
Do they not see that Allāh, who created the heavens and earth, is [the one] Able to create the likes of them? And He has appointed for them a term, about which there is no doubt. But the wrongdoers refuse except disbelief.