honourable guests. There were around 10 or 12 angels who attended including Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. (Jalalayn, Part 26, Surah Al-Zariyaat, under verse 24, p. 433) They said, ‘Salam.’ Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام replied with Salam and thought to himself that these are strangers. After greeting them, Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام went home, roasted a calf and brought it. Then he placed it with the guests so that they can eat it. This is from the etiquette of hosts that you place food in front of the guests.

When the angels did not eat it, Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said, ‘do you not eat?’ the angels did not respond, so Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام felt fearful of them in his heart. (Jalalayn, Part 26, Surah Al-Zariyaat, under verse 24-25, p. 433, summarised)

Sayyiduna Ibn-e-‘Abbas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُما states: he felt in his heart that they are angels who have been sent for punishment. Seeing the fear of Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, the angels said, ‘don’t worry, we have been sent by Allah Almighty.’ After this, the angels gave Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام the glad tidings of a knowledgeable son. (Tafseer Khaazin, Surah Al-Zariyaat, under verses 26-28, vol. 4, p. 183; Tafseer Nasfi, Part 26, Surah Al-Zariyaat, under verses 26-28, p. 1169, summarised)

As his wife, Sayyidatuna Saarah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا was 90 or 99 years old and Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was a 100 or 120 years old, so Sayyidatuna Saarah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا came screaming when she heard about the glad tidings of a knowledgeable son and said whilst hitting her hand on her face out of astonishment, ‘I am old! How can I give birth?’ The angels said, ‘Your merciful Lord has said whatever We have informed you of and Allah Almighty is very capable of doing that which you consider to be impossible (i.e. that merciful Lord has the ability of blessing you with a child even at this age). No doubt, He is the All-Wise and All-Knowing in His works; nothing is hidden from Him.’ (Jalalayn, Surah Al-Zariyaat, under the verses 29-30, p. 433; Tafseer Nasfi, Part 26, Surah Al-Zariyaat, under the verses 29-30, p. 1169)