أَوْجَسَ (Awjasa) — from وَجْس (Wajs)
Refers to a subtle sense of fear, apprehension, worry or unease. Awjasa means to have a feeling about something—an internal sense not openly shown, with only very subtle signs of fear.
inward, not overtAyah 51:28 — Arabic and translation
فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ ۖ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَامٍ عَلِيمٍ subtle fear reassurance glad tidings
“He felt from them a fear”
An inner, subtle apprehension sensed within.
“Don’t be afraid”
Immediate calming response to that hidden fear.
“Good news of a knowledgeable Ghulaam”
Not just a son—his quality is specified: knowledgeable.
Language insights
Key terms and their precise nuances as presented in the explanation.
غُلَامٍ (Ghulaam)
Usually refers to a boy before the age of puberty. The phrase “good news of a knowledgeable Ghulaam” implies not only having a son, but also the good news of getting to see him growing up.
Implication: you will not just have a son, you will also get to see him grow up.
عَلِيمٍ (‘Aleem) — “Knowledgeable”
Here, Ibrahim (as) is given the glad tidings of his son Ishaq (as), described as ‘Aleem (“Knowledgeable”).
Quality specifiedContrast in glad tidings
Ishaq (as) vs Isma’eel (as)
Ishaq (as) is described as عَلِيمٍ (“Knowledgeable”). In contrast, when given glad tidings of Isma’eel (as), he is described as حَلِيم (“Forbearing”).
Ishaq (as): ‘Aleem — Knowledgeable Isma’eel (as): Haleem — Forbearing
فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلَامٍ حَلِيمٍ
“So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing (Haleem) boy” (As-Saffat: 101).
Key takeaways
Subtle interior states matter
أَوْجَسَ highlights an inward feeling—fear sensed within and not expressed overtly; only subtle signs, if any, are visible.
Reassurance meets hidden fear
The direct reply “لا تَخَفْ” addresses that inner apprehension immediately.
Glad tidings with quality
The news includes a specified quality: عَلِيمٍ—“Knowledgeable”.
Longevity implied
غُلَامٍ suggests a boy before puberty and implies getting to see him growing up.