1569 Ahl al bayt = people of the house, a polite form of addressing the wife and members of the family. Blessings are invoked on the whole family. 1570 This little episode of Abraham's life comes on fitly as one of the illustrations of Allah's wonderful providence in His dealings with man. Abraham had had a tussle with his father on behalf of Truth and Unity (
6:74); he had travelled to far countries, and was now ready to receive his great mission as the fountainhead of prophets in his old age. Humanly speaking it seemed impossible that he should have a son at his age, and yet it came to pass and became a cornerstone of sacred history.