The theme of Surat Adh-Dhaariyaat comprises the matter of ar-Rizq (the provision), and that giving and preventing are in Allaah’s Hand Alone.
We observe this in the context regarding the story of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) with his guests in Surat Adh-Dhaariyaat (51:22-23).
Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
وفي السماء رزقكم وما توعدون. فورب السماء والأرض إنه لحق مثل ما أنكم تنطقون
“And in the heaven is your provision and all that you are promised. By the Lord of heaven and earth, this is certainly true, as true as the fact of your speaking.”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “The origin of your provision is in the form of rain and whatever decrees come down from the heaven. Provision includes both the religious and worldly. [The earthly provision stems from the rain that comes from the heaven or sky]. And all that you are promised of requital in this world and the Hereafter comes down from Allaah, like all other decrees.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Then Allaah mentioned the story of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) and the punishments that the people of Lut (Lot) and other nations incurred, as a proof attesting to what Allaah mentioned in this context.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Adh-Dhaariyaat (51:24):
هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ
“Has there come to you the story of the honored guests of Ibraheem?”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “It is wise that Allaah tells His slaves the stories of both good and evil people, so that they may learn from their stories and about the fate of each group. Allaah mentions the virtue of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) and begins with his story, which sheds light on its importance and how He paid special attention to it.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ
“Has the story reached you”
This inquiry implies suspense (for it is a strange and wondrous story) and emphasizes that Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had not been aware of the story but learned it through divine revelation.
ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ
“The honored guests of Ibraheem”
The adjective “honored” may refer to Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) who honored the angels by preparing food for them, or it may refer to the angels who are honorable, as Allaah (Ta’ala) describes them in Surat Al-Infitar (82:11):
كِرَامًا كَاتِبِين
“Honorable, writing down your deeds”
The guests of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) were angels whom Allaah sent to destroy the people of Lut, and He commanded them to pass by Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam), so they came to him in the form of human guests, as Allaah (Ta’ala) describes in Surat Adh-Dhaariyaat (51:25):
إِذْ دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا سَلَامًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَامٌ قَوْمٌ مُّنكَرُونَ
“When they came to him and said: ‘Salaaman!’ He answered: ‘Salaamun’ and said: ‘You are a people unknown to me.’”
Allaah’s Statement: “When they came to him” suggests that they entered without taking permission. This indicates that Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) was known for honoring and entertaining guests, and it was his habit to show hospitality to his guests. The gate of his house was always open; no one needed to take permission to enter. This indicates the perfect generosity of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam).
The angels greeted Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) with “Salaaman” (Peace). In response to their greeting, Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) said: “Salaamun” (And upon you be peace).
So Al-Khaleel (the friend of Allaah) chose a better reply in return to their greeting, implementing Allaah’s command in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:86):
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ
“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it or return it equally.”
This is because reciprocating the greeting with the term “Salaamun” (peace be upon you) is stronger than the greeting using the term “Salaaman” (greeting with peace). “Salaamun” is a noun which implies continuity and constancy while “Salaaman” is a verbal clause which indicates continuity without constancy (i.e. renewal – the thing goes and then happens again). So Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) greeted his guests with that which was better than their greeting.
The angels came to Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) in the image of handsome, young, wonderfully graceful men. When Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) didn’t recognize them, he felt shy to confront them with that, but said:
قَوْمٌ مُّنكَرُونَ
“(You are) unknown people (to me)”
He (‘Alayhis-salaam) did not say: “You are unknown people to me.” He deleted the word “You are” because this is gentler in approaching them.
In addition, he said: “Unknown people (to me)” rather than saying, “I do not know you”. The difference in politeness between the two phrases is obvious.
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “The house of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) was a place that was frequented by passers-by and visitors, because the angels entered upon him without seeking permission. They followed the etiquette of initiating the greeting of Salaam, and Ibraheem responded with a more complete greeting, because his greeting (as indicated by the Arabic word) was indicative of a wish that peace be upon them all the time” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ فَجَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ
“Then he went quietly to his household and brought a fatted calf”
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) discreetly went inside (to his household) in haste and brought out a fatted roasted calf from the best of his food, as Allaah says in Surat Hud (11:69):
فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ
“And he hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf (roasted on hot coals)”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “He went quietly to his family – in other words, he slipped way discreetly – to bring food for them.”
This indicates his good hospitality. He didn’t say: “Wait, I will bring food” nor did he get up dragging his feet as if he was pushed to do that. Rather, he got up discreetly and quickly to bring them food.
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah tells us of what He blessed His close friend Ibraheem with of great generosity, as this food was ready to be served, and his house was in a state of constant readiness to welcome guests, so he did not need to go and fetch food from the market or from his neighbors or the like.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
– Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) was the one who served his guests, even though he was the close friend of the Most Gracious. A man of dignity and honor is the one who serves his guests.
– What also indicates the perfect generosity of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) is that he brought a full calf to the guest and not just part of it, nor did he cut it into pieces. He left them to choose for themselves what they liked of the parts of the calf.
– Out of his generosity, he chose the fatted calf for his guest and not the lean one. It is well known that the fatted calf is from the best and proudest of one’s wealth, the like of which is used for acquisition and breeding. However, he (‘Alayhis-salaam) preferred to honor his guests with it. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Adh-Dhaariyaat (51:27):
فَقَرَّبَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ
“And placed it before them saying, ‘Will you not eat?’”
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer: “Ibraheem said this polite and kind statement to his guests. Surely, this Ayah indicates the proper manners for honoring guests; as he brought the food to his guests quickly, while they were unaware that it was being prepared for them. He did not first mention this favor to them by saying ‘We will make food for you’. Rather, he discreetly prepared it and placed it before them. He prepared the best kind of food he had, a young, fat roasted calf. He did not place the food far from them and invite them to come close to it to eat. Rather, he placed it close to them and refrained from ordering them to eat. Instead he invited them using a kind and subtle invitation, ‘Will you not eat?’ This statement is like one of us saying to a guest, ‘Would you be so kind and generous to do such and such?’”
Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) brought the food to them, to the place they were sitting, and he did not put it somewhere else and tell them to come and have some food, because this was easier for them and was better. From the pinnacle of generosity and hospitality to the guests is to use gentle words when offering food. Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) requested the guests to eat in a very gentle manner, saying: “Will you not eat?” He did not say: “Eat” or “Extend your hands to eat”, and other such phrases that are not the most preferable.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) mentioned the reason behind Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) asking the guests to eat. He (Rahimahullaah) said: “Noticing that the guests who appeared like humans to him refrained from eating, he [Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam)] inquired with surprise: ‘Will you not eat?’ This is because the human guests of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) never needed permission to eat. They were of the habit of eating food when it was offered to them. However, these guests acted contrary to this custom. Therefore, Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) felt fearful of them in his self and did not show it to them nor declare it openly; but asked them: ‘Will you not eat?’ as if he wanted to know the secret behind their declining to eat of the food. This is because one feels at rest towards those who eat of his food and feels secure from their evil; but if they do not eat, then one doubts and suspects that they may have come for an evil cause.”
Therefore, Allaah (Ta’ala) says in verse 28:
فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً
“He conceived a fear of them.”
This verse is explained by Allaah’s Statement in Surat Hud (11:70):
فَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ أَيْدِيَهُمْ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً
“But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the food), he mistrusted them, and felt a sense of fear of them.”
When the angels realized that Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) felt fearful and suspicious of them, they said:
قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ ۖ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَامٍ عَلِيمٍ
“Fear not and gave him the glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge.”
So, the angels introduced themselves to Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam), saying that they were not human beings in need of eating food, but they were angels sent on a mission by Allaah to give him the glad tidings of a son who would be knowledgeable and wise.
The son mentioned here in this verse refers to Isaac (Is-haaq) (‘Alayhis-salaam) born to Sarah (his wife). This is confirmed in Surat Hud (11:71):
فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبَ
“But we gave her glad tidings of Is-haaq, and after Is-haaq, of Ya’qub”
The angels gave glad tidings of three things: First, that they will have a baby. Second, the baby is male not female. Third, he is ‘Aleem (endowed with knowledge). These were glad tidings.
This news was good for Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) and his wife Sarah, for this son would be theirs; therefore, they both were getting good news.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in verse 29:
فَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ فِي صَرَّةٍ
“Then his wife came forward with a loud voice.”
She shouted loudly:
يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ
“Ah! Woe to me!” then,
فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا
“She smote her face”
Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) said that she smacked her face just as women do when confronted with an amazing thing.
وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌ
“And said: ‘A barren old woman!’”
Meaning, “How can I give birth while I am an old woman? Even when I was young, I was barren and could not have children.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in verse 30:
قَالُوا كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْعَلِيمُ
“They said: ‘Even so says your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower’.”
‘He is the All-Knower of the honor that you are worthy of and He is the Most Wise in His Statements and Decisions.’ [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Women sometimes say and do other things that are contrary to ordinary behavior; thus, when the wife of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) heard the glad tidings, she cried out loud with joy and struck her face, which is something that women do when they are happy.
She mentioned three impediments which on their own are sufficient to prevent her from having a child: First, how can she have a child when she is an old woman who is past childbearing age; moreover she is barren and her womb has never been fit to bear a child, and the third impediment is mentioned in Surat Hud, when she said:
وَهَٰذَا بَعْلِي شَيْخًا ۖ
“And here is my husband, an old man.”
The angels answered with what means, “Do not be amazed at the command of Allaah, for verily, whenever He wills something, He merely says: “Be” and it is. So do not be amazed at this, even though you are old and barren and your husband is an old man. Verily, Allaah is Able to do whatever He wills.” [Ibn Katheer]
The angels said:
قَالُوا كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ
“Even so says your Lord”
They affixed the name of Allaah “Rabb” to this old barren woman to emphasize the special Ruboobiyah which is not for everyone except whom Allaah specifies with His special nurturing. This entails the special care of Allaah (Ta’ala).
In the verse, the Name of Allaah, Al-Hakeem is mentioned before Al-‘Aleem because the situation entails the precedence of wisdom over knowledge. Al-Hakeem has two meanings: All-Wise and Hakam (i.e. the Judge). Allaah (Ta’ala) is the Judge who judges between His slaves, as He says in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:50):
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
“And who is better in judgment than Allaah for a people who have firm Faith?”
And in Surat At-Teen (95:8), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِمِينَ
“Is not Allaah the best of judges?”
This inquiry is for the purpose of confirmation that Allaah is the Best of Judges. His decision is executive, none can repel or oppose it. Therefore, one should submit to His decision and Hukm (wisdom) without objection; believing that His decision is comprised of utmost wisdom. If one believes this fact, many matters will become easy for him, especially legal matters which many people do not know the wisdom behind, such as the Salaat being five prayers in a day or 17 Rak’ah and so forth, and similarly, the decreed matters. Allaah may send a punishment which destroys both the good and evil people. Will you question the wisdom, or will you say that Allaah’s decree comprises wisdom?
Some wisdom and lessons from the story of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) with his guests
1) Out of Allaah’s Wisdom is that He tells His slaves the stories of both good and evil people so that one may learn from their stories and know the fate of each group.
2) Allaah begins this story by emphasizing the merits of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam), which sheds light on its importance; and He paid special attention to it, by saying: “Has the story reached you?”
3) The story is comprised of the noblest manners of honoring and showing hospitality towards guests. Any manner besides that is considered falling behind from the Islamic manners and the conduct of Ibraheem Al-Khaleel; upon him and our Prophet be the best Salaat and Salaam.
4) It is legislated to be hospitable, for this is the way of Ibraheem Al-Khaleel (‘Alayhis-salaam) which Allaah enjoined upon His Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Ummah to follow. Allaah mentions it here by way of praising Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam).
5) It is prescribed to greet with “Salaam” upon entering or meeting others and to reply with what is better and more perfect than it.
6) The guest is to be honored in various ways, in word and action, because Allaah (Ta’ala) described the guests of Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) as honored. Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) honored them, and Allaah described the hospitality that he offered them in word and action. They were also honored by Allaah.
7) It is prescribed to ask people who come to you or with whom contact takes place to introduce themselves, because there are many benefits in doing so.
8) Ibraheem’s (‘Alayhis-salaam) politeness and gentleness in speech, as he said: “You are strangers to me”(51:25), rather than saying: “I do not know you”.
9) One should hasten to offer hospitality because the best good deed is that which is done without delay. Hence Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) hastened to prepare a meal for his guests.
10) If meat that has already been prepared is offered to a guest, this is not disrespectful in the slightest; rather it is an honor, as Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) did that and Allaah tells us that his guests were honored.
11) One should speak gently and show politeness to one’s guest, especially when offering him food. Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) offered food to them and requested them to eat it in a very gentle manner, saying: “Will you not eat?”
12) If a person is afraid of someone for any reason, the person that he is afraid of should reassure him and say things to put his mind at rest and calm him down, as the angels said: “Fear not!” (51:28) to Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) and they gave him glad tidings after he had been afraid of them.
13) Allaah honored Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) and his wife Sarah with the glad tidings of a knowledgeable son. Allaah made Is-haaq one of the Prophets and the Prophets are the most knowledgeable of people about Allaah, His Names, Attributes, Laws, and Actions.
14) Allaah is Most Praiseworthy in all His Actions and Statements. He is praised and glorified in His Attributes and His Being.
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “It is Allaah who has decreed and ordained that, and there is nothing strange about the might and power of Allaah. He is All-Wise, i.e. He does what is appropriate, and He is the All-Knower; He encompasses all things with His knowledge. So submit to His decree and show gratitude to Him for His blessing.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
The believer should submit to the decision of Allaah and His Messenger, and his breast should be responsive to it. Contrary to that, lagging behind in submitting to the decree of Allaah and feeling constriction towards it is an indication of weak faith or lack of faith.
Sources:
Tayseer Al-Kareem by Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah)
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Jalaa’ul Afhaam by Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah)
Tafseer Surat Adh-Dhaariyaat by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)