{ هل أتاك }
An exaltation of the narrative and an alert that it is not from the knowledge of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), but rather he knew it through revelation.
{ ضيف }
Used for both the singular and the plural, like *zawr* (visitor) and *sawm* (faster), because it is originally a verbal noun from *dafa-hu*. They were twelve angels; it is also said they were nine, with Gabriel as the tenth; and it is said they were three: Gabriel, Michael, and a third angel. They are called "guests" because they appeared in the form of guests when Abraham hosted them, or because they were in his estimation as such.
Their Honor
Abraham honored them by serving them himself, having his wife serve them, and hastening to provide them with hospitality. Or, they were honored in themselves, as Allah says: {Nay, they are honored servants} (Al-Anbiya: 26).
{ إذ دخلوا }
In the accusative case, linked to "honored" (if interpreted as Abraham honoring them), or linked to the verbal meaning within the word "guest," or by implying "remember."
{ سلاما }
A verbal noun acting in place of the verb, sufficient without it. Its origin is: *nusallimu 'alaykum salaman*. As for {salam} (in the nominative), it is shifted to the nominative as an initial subject (*mubtada'*) with its predicate omitted, meaning: "Upon you is peace," to indicate the permanence of peace. It is as if he intended to greet them with a better greeting than they gave him, following the etiquette of Allah. This is also part of his honoring them.
{ قوم منكرون }
He did not recognize them, which is the sign of Islam. Or he meant: they are not among his acquaintances or the type of people he was accustomed to, just as if an Arab were to see a group of foreigners or observe a state and appearance different from the people he knew. Or, this was a question to them, as if he said: "You are unknown people, so identify yourselves to me."
{ فراغ إلى أهله }
He went to them secretly from his guests. It is the etiquette of a host to conceal his affairs and hasten to provide hospitality without the guest noticing, for fear that the guest might restrain him or excuse him. Qatada said: The majority of Abraham’s wealth was cattle. {He brought a fat calf}.
{ ألا تأكلون }
The interrogative particle is for disapproval: he disapproved of their refraining from eating, or he was urging them to eat.
{ فأوجس }
He concealed [fear]. He feared them because they did not partake of his food, so he thought they intended him harm. Ibn Abbas said: It occurred to him that they were angels sent for punishment.
{ بغلام عليم }
Meaning: he will reach maturity and possess knowledge. Al-Hasan said: "Knowledgeable" means a prophet. The one promised was Isaac; this is the most common and correct opinion, for the description is that of Sarah, not Hagar, and she was Abraham’s wife. Mujahid said: It is Ishmael.
{ في صرة }
In a cry/shout, from the sound of a cricket or the creaking of a pen or door. It is in the accusative as a state (*hal*), meaning: she came crying out. Al-Hasan said: She approached her house, having been in a corner watching them, and when she felt the heat of the blood [of the news], she struck her face in modesty. It is also said: "She took to a cry," as one says "he began to insult me."
{ فصكت }
She struck her face with her open hands. It is said she struck her forehead with her fingertips, the action of one astonished. {An old woman}—"I am an old woman, so how can I bear a child?"
{ كذلك قال ربك }
Meaning: We only inform you on behalf of Allah, and Allah is capable of what you deem impossible. It is narrated that Gabriel said to her: "Look at the ceiling of your house," and she looked, and its beams were leafy and bearing fruit.
{ قال فما خطبكم أيها المرسلون * قالوا إنآ أرسلنآ إلى قوم مجرمين * لنرسل عليهم حجارة من طين * مسومة عند ربك للمسرفين * فأخرجنا من كان فيها من المؤمنين * فما وجدنا فيها غير بيت من المسلمين * وتركنا فيهآ ءاية للذين يخافون العذاب الاليم }
