Transliteration:( Qaala famaa khatbukum ayyuhal mursaloon )
31. He (Ebrahim) said: "What is your affair (32), O messengers?" (Angels)
In these verses, Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) addresses the angels, acknowledging that they have not only come to deliver glad tidings but may have another purpose.
Ibrahim's question reflects his understanding that these visitors might have come with a serious mission—likely the execution of divine punishment.
This suggests that Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) had discerned from their context that the angels' visit was not solely for good news, but could be associated with punishment.
Ibrahim’s question indicates that he might have understood that the angels' purpose was to bring about punishment for a disobedient people.
This highlights the dual role of angels: they not only bring glad tidings but also fulfill Allah's will by carrying out the consequences for sin or wrongdoing.
Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) shows wisdom and understanding by asking this question, reflecting his awareness of the broader divine plan and his deep respect for Allah's commands.
31. (Ibrahim) said: “Then for what purpose you have come, O messengers” 32. They said: “We have been sent to a people who are criminals.” 33. “To send down upon them stones of clay.” 34. “Marked by your Lord for transgressors.” 35. So We brought out from therein the believers. 36. But We found not there any household of the Muslims except one. 37. And We have left there a sign for those who fear the painful torment.
Allah the Exalted said about Ibrahim, peace be upon him,
(Then when the fear had gone away from (Ibrahim), and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with Us for the people of Lut. Verily, Ibrahim was, without doubt forbearing, used to invoke Allah with humility, and was repentant. “O Ibrahim! Forsake this. Indeed, the commandment of your Lord has gone forth. Verily, there will come a torment for them which cannot be turned back.”)(11:74-76) Allah said here,
((Ibrahim) said: “Then for what purpose you have come, O messengers”) meaning, `what is the mission that you were sent with,’
(They said: “We have been sent to a people who are criminals.”) in reference to the people of Lut,
(To send down upon them stones of baked clay, marked), or written,
(by your Lord for transgressors.) recorded with Allah to their names; each stone has the name of its companion. Allah said in Surat Al-`Ankabut,
((Ibrahim) said: “But there is Lut in it.” They said: “We know better who is there. We will verily save him and his family except his wife: she will be of those who remain behind.”)(29:32), and said here,
(So We brought out from therein the believers.) they are: Lut and his family, except his wife,
(But We found not there any household of the Muslims except one.) Allah the Exalted said,
(And We have left there a sign for those who fear the painful torment.) meaning, `We left a proof of the punishment, torment and stones made of Sijjil (baked clay) that We sent on them; We made their dwelling place a putrid, evil, dead sea. This should provide a lesson for the believers,’
(for those who fear the painful torment.)
(51:31) Abraham said: “Envoys (of Allah), what is your errand?”[30]
30. As the angels come in human guise only on highly important occasions, the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) used the word khatb to find out the purpose of their visit; the word khatb in Arabic is used for an errand of same extraordinary nature.
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