Surah Al-Hijr 15:52
سُورَةُ الحِجۡرِ · Meccan · Verse 52 of 99
إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَٰمًۭا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمْ وَجِلُونَ
Translation
when they came to him and said, ‘Peace,’ he said, ‘We are afraid of you.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
Allah, the All-Knowing, often invites us to reflect on the stories of prophets from previous times. Here, in Surah Al-Hijr, He addresses Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), asking him to recount to his community the story of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and his unusual guests. This narrative, firmly rooted in the "Worlds of Past Nations," carries profound lessons for us today.
The Unsettling Visit
The verse opens with a moment of tension: "إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَٰمًۭا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمْ وَجِلُونَ" (When they entered upon him and said, "Peace," he said, "Indeed, we are fearful of you"). Imagine Prophet Ibrahim, known for his hospitality, suddenly receiving visitors. They utter the greeting of peace, "Salam," but their presence immediately evokes fear in him.
Ibrahim's Apprehension
Why would a prophet, a man of profound faith, feel "wajiloon" (وجلون), which means fearful or apprehensive? The scholarly commentaries shed light on this. Imam al-Baghawi and Ibn Kathir explain that Ibrahim's fear stemmed from a crucial detail, mentioned more explicitly in other Quranic accounts: these guests did not partake of the food he offered. As Ibn Kathir notes, "he saw their hands not reaching the hospitality he offered them, which was a roasted fatted calf." In ancient cultures, refusing food from a host was highly unusual and could signify ill intent or that the visitors were not ordinary humans. For Prophet Ibrahim, this made them deeply suspicious and frightening. Al-Razi adds that their unannounced, unexpected entry might have also contributed to his unease.
A Deeper Meaning
This glimpse into Prophet Ibrahim's encounter isn't just a historical anecdote. Allah presents these stories as lessons for all humanity. This verse, coming within a Surah that discusses matters of faith, divine power, and the fate of nations, highlights that even prophets experienced moments of human fear and uncertainty when faced with the unknown. It shows us that initial apprehension can quickly turn into profound reassurance and glad tidings when Allah's plan unfolds, a theme the subsequent verses will reveal. This story grounds us in the reality of human experience, reminding us that trust in Allah (God) is paramount, even when circumstances seem alarming.
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Hijr 15:52 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Hijr 15:52 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.