The glad tidings of his coming were brought by the angels to Abraham and Sarah when they passed by them on their way to the towns of Lot’s people, in order to annihilate those towns for their disbelief and their debauchery, as will be explained in its proper place, God willing.

God, Exalted is He, says:
“Indeed, Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said, ‘Peace.’ He answered, ‘Peace,’ and before long he brought a roasted calf. But when he saw that their hands did not reach for it, he found them strange and felt some fear of them. They said, ‘Do not be afraid; we have been sent to the people of Lot.’ His wife was standing by and she laughed; so We gave her good news of Isaac, and, after Isaac, Jacob. She said, ‘Alas for me! Shall I give birth when I am an old woman, and this husband of mine is an old man? This is truly astounding!’ They said, ‘Do you marvel at the command of Allah? May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, people of the house. Surely He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” (Hūd 11:69–73)

He, Exalted is He, also says:
“Tell them about the guests of Abraham: when they entered upon him and said, ‘Peace,’ he said, ‘We feel uneasy about you.’ They said, ‘Do not be uneasy; we give you good news of a knowledgeable boy.’ He said, ‘Do you give me good news when old age has overtaken me? What then is this good news?’ They said, ‘We give you good news in truth, so do not be among the despairing.’ He said, ‘And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?’” (al-Ḥijr 15:51–56)

And He says:
“Has the story reached you of Abraham’s honoured guests? When they entered his presence they said, ‘Peace.’ He answered, ‘Peace—people unknown to me.’ Then he slipped away to his family and brought a fat calf; he set it before them and said, ‘Will you not eat?’ He felt misgivings toward them. They said, ‘Do not fear,’ and they gave him good news of a knowledgeable boy. His wife came forward with a cry, struck her face, and said, ‘A barren old woman!’ They said, ‘Thus has your Lord spoken. Surely He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing.’” (adh-Dhāriyāt 51:24–30)

God recounts that the angels—three in number, it is said: Gabriel, Michael, and Israfil—when they arrived at the Friend’s home, he assumed at first that they were ordinary guests, so he treated them as such. He roasted a plump calf, the best of his herd, and set it before them. Seeing that they showed no desire to eat at all—because angels have no need for food—Abraham grew suspicious of them and felt a twinge of fear, whereupon they said, “Do not be afraid; we have been sent to the people of Lot,” that is, to destroy them. At this Sarah rejoiced, angered for God’s sake against those people. She was standing over the guests, as is the custom among Arabs and others, and she laughed in gladness. Hence God says: “His wife was standing by and she laughed, so We gave her good news of Isaac, and, after Isaac, Jacob” (Hūd 11:71), meaning that the angels conveyed that glad tidings to her.

“She came forward with a shriek,” that is, with a loud cry, “and struck her face,” as women do when taken by surprise, exclaiming, “Woe to me! Shall I give birth when I am an old woman, and this husband of mine is an old man?”—wondering how someone in her condition, elderly and barren, and with an aged husband as well, could possibly bear a child. Therefore she said, “This is indeed an amazing thing!” They replied, “‘Do you marvel at the command of Allah? May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you, people of the house. Surely He is Praiseworthy, Glorious’” (Hūd 11:72–73).

Abraham likewise expressed wonder—out of delighted anticipation, seeking confirmation and rejoicing in the promise—saying, “‘Do you give me good news when old age has overtaken me? What, then, is the good news you bring?’ They said, ‘We have given you good news in truth; do not be among the despairing.’ He said, ‘And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?’” (al-Ḥijr 15:54–56). In this way they reinforced the announcement.