قَالَتْ يَـٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ ءَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا۠ عَجُوزٌ وَهَـٰذَا بَعْلِى شَيْخًا ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عَجِيبٌ 72
Translations
She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!"
Transliteration
Qalat ya waylatā a-alidu wa anā ajūzun wa hādhā baylī shaykhun inna hādhā la-shay'un ajībun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the response of Sarah (wife of Prophet Ibrahim) when informed that she would bear a son despite her advanced age and her husband's old age. Her exclamation expresses astonishment at the divine promise, as both she and Ibrahim were elderly—she beyond childbearing years and he described as a shaykh (old man). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that her amazement was natural from a human perspective, yet she would soon witness the reality of Allah's power to do all things.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Allah's angels visiting Ibrahim to announce the birth of Ishaq (Isaac). The context is from Surah Hud (a Meccan surah), where the story of Ibrahim and the divine promise to grant him a righteous son is presented as a sign of Allah's power and mercy, particularly relevant to the Meccan audience regarding divine promises and resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The story is referenced in Sahih Bukhari regarding the glad tidings given to Sarah. Additionally, Surah Al-Ankabut (29:29-30) and Surah Al-Adiyat contain complementary accounts of this narrative, emphasizing the theme that nothing is difficult for Allah (laysa alayh shay'un).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that what appears humanly impossible or improbable is entirely within Allah's capability; our astonishment at divine promises should not diminish our faith, but rather increase our recognition of Allah's infinite power and mercy beyond human comprehension.
Related Ayahs
وَإِنَّ كُلًّا لَّمَّا لَيُوَفِّيَنَّهُمْ رَبُّكَ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
And indeed, each [of the believers and disbelievers] - your Lord will fully compensate them for their deeds. Indeed, He is Aware of what they do.
وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَآءَكَ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ
And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals."
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنِّى لَكُمْ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And We had certainly sent Noah to his people, [saying], "Indeed, I am to you a clear warner