وَٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ قَآئِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَـٰهَا بِإِسْحَـٰقَ وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسْحَـٰقَ يَعْقُوبَ 71
Translations
And his wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob.
Transliteration
Wa-imra'atuhu qa'imatan fa-dahakit fa-bashsharnaha bi-Ishaq wa-min wara'i Ishaq Ya'qub
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Abraham's wife (Sarah) was standing when the angels brought glad tidings, and she laughed in amazement at the news of bearing a son in her old age. The scholars, including Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, note that her laughter expressed wonder and disbelief due to her advanced age and barrenness, yet Allah blessed her with not only Isaac (Ishaq) but also promised Jacob (Ya'qub) as his descendant. This demonstrates Allah's power to fulfill promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances and the miraculous nature of divine bounty.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Abraham's hospitality to the angels (Surah Hud, verses 69-76), a Meccan surah addressing the Quraysh's disbelief in resurrection and divine promises. The context reinforces the theme of Allah's ability to resurrect and create life, paralleling the resurrection of humanity on the Day of Judgment—a central message to the Meccan disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3331): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned the virtues of Sarah and her faith. Additionally, the story of Sarah's laughter is referenced in Islamic tradition as an example of human reaction to divine miracles, contrasted with Abraham's unwavering certainty in Surah 15:55.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah's promises transcend human limitations and logic; what seems impossible to human understanding is easily within Allah's power. Modern readers should draw confidence that sincere supplication and patience, combined with faith, can lead to blessings beyond expectation, and that doubts and wonder need not negate ultimate submission to Allah's will.