The Angels are created from light.
Does the light eat?
Does the light drink?
In the previous article, we have seen that both the Bible and the Quran describe the interesting story of Abraham and his Guests, the Angels,.
The Bible says that Abraham offered the Angels food and they ate (Genesis 18:7-8)
In addition, Psalm 78:25 mentions the Angels’ food (See the appendix).
Abraham and his Guests, the Angels in the Quran
The verses 51:24-28 describe what happened between Abraham and the Angels
The meaning of verses in short:
“Then Abraham turned quickly to his household, brought out a calf, and placed it before them; but they did not eat. He said, ‘Will you not eat?’ And he was scared of them.
The Angels said: ‘Fear not,’ and they gave him glad tidings of a son (Isaac) endowed with knowledge.”
In addition, the verse 11:70 says:
“But when Abraham saw their hands went not towards the food, he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: ‘Fear not: we have been sent against the people of Lot.’
Why Abraham was scared of the Angels?
Traditionally, Hospitality was the custom of the ancient noble people.
The host has to offer the best food for his guests/
Abraham was the top of noble and generous people.
The guest(s) must eat the food presented to them
But what if the guest(s) did not eat the food?
According to the custom of the ancient people, the guest(s) does not eat the food of the host if he going to hurt his host e.g. if he wants to kill him.
When Abraham saw three men at his door, he thought that they were men not Angels and he ran to his household to present them the best of food. And when they did not eat, he thought they wanted to hurt him and his family that is why he was scared of them.
If Abraham knew from the beginning that they were Angels, he would not offered then any food because he knows very well that the Angels do not eat!
The verses 51:24-28 in four different translations
QARIB:
24) Have you heard the story of Abraham’s honored guests?
25) They entered to him and said: ‘peace. ‘And he replied: ‘peace, you are people unknown to me. ‘
26) So he turned to his household and brought a fattened calf.
27) He set it before them, saying: ‘will you not eat? ‘
28) Then he conceived a fear about them, and they said: ‘have no fear’, and gave him the glad tidings that he was to have a knowledgeable son.
SHAKIR:
24) Has there come to you information about the honored guests of Ibrahim?
25) When they entered upon him, they said: peace. Peace, said he, a strange people
26) Then he turned aside to his family secretly and brought a fat (roasted) calf,
27) So he brought it near them. He said: what! Will you not eat?
28) So he conceived in his mind a fear on account of them. They said: fear not. And they gave him the good news of a boy possessing knowledge
PICKTHAL:
24) Hath the story of Abraham’s honoured guests reached thee (o Muhammad)?
25) When they came in unto him and said: peace! He answered, peace! (And thought): folk unknown (to me).
26) Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf;
27) And he set it before them, saying: will ye not eat?
28) Then he conceived a fear of them. They said: fear not! And gave him tidings of (the birth of) a wise son.
YUSUFALI:
24) Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham?
25) Behold, they entered his presence, and said: “peace!” he said, “peace!” (and thought, “These seem) unusual people.”
26) Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf,
27) And placed it before them.. He said, “Will ye not eat?”
28) (When they did not eat), he conceived a fear of them. They said, “Fear not,” and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge.
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Appendix:
Psalm 78:25
21st Century King James Version: Man ate angels’ food
Complete Jewish Bible: mortals ate the bread of angels;
Amplified Bible: Everyone ate the bread of the mighty [man ate angels’ food]