Allah is saying: `Tell them, O Muhammad, about the story of

[ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ]

(the guests of Ibrahim.)'

[دَخَلُواْ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلامًا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنْكُمْ وَجِلُونَ]

(they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.

[قَالُواْ لاَ تَوْجَلْ]

(They said: "Do not be afraid!...'') meaning, do not be scared.

[وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَـمٍ عَلَيمٍ]

(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. Then

[قَالَ]

(He said) meaning he spoke with wonder and astonishment, asking for confirmation, because he was old and his wife was old:

[أَبَشَّرْتُمُونِى عَلَى أَن مَّسَّنِىَ الْكِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ]

(Do you give me this good news while old age has overtaken me Of what then is your news about) They responded by confirming the good news they had brought, good news after good news:

[قَالُواْ بَشَّرْنَـكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلاَ تَكُن مِّنَ الْقَـنِطِينَ ]

(They said: "We give you good news in truth. So do not be of those who despair.'')

[قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْمُرْسَلُونَ - قَالُواْ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَى قَوْمٍ مُّجْرِمِينَ - إِلاَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ - إِلاَّ امْرَأَتَهُ قَدَّرْنَآ إِنَّهَا لَمِنَ الْغَـبِرِينَ ]

(57. He said: "What then is the business for which you have come, O messengers'') (58. They said: "We have been sent to a guilty people.'') (59. "(All) except the family of Lut, all of whom we are to save (from the destruction).'') (60. "Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.'')