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Lut (Lot)
Description of the People of Sodom
Prophet Abraham left Egypt accompanied by his nephew Lot , who then went to
the city of Sodom (Sadum), which was on the western shore of the Dead Sea.
This city was filled with evil. Its residents waylaid, robbed and killed travelers.
Another common evil among them was that men had sex with men instead of with
women. This unnatural act later became known as sodomy (after the city of
Sodom). It was practiced openly and unashamedly.
Lot's
Message
It was at the height of these crimes and sins that Allah revealed to Prophet
Lot that he should summon the people to give up their indecent behavior, but
they were so deeply sunk in their immoral habits that they were deaf to Lot's
preaching. Swamped in their unnatural desires, they refused to listen, even
when Lot warned them of Allah's punishment. Instead, they threatened to drive
him out of the city if he kept on preaching.
Almighty Allah revealed: The people of Lot (those dwelt in the towns of Sodom
in Palestine) belied the Messengers when their brother Lot said to them: 'Will
you not fear Allah and obey Him? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you.
So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. No reward do I ask of you
for it (my Message of Islamic Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord
of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Go you in unto the males
of the 'Alamin (mankind), and leave those whom Allah has created for you to
be your wives? Nay, you are a trespassing people!"
They said: "If you cease not, 0 Lot! Verily, you will be one of those
who are driven out!"
He said: "I am, indeed, of those who disapprove with severe anger and
fury your (this evil) action (of sodomy). My Lord! Save me and my family from
what they do."
So We saved him and his family, all, - except an old woman (his wife) among
those who remained behind. Surah 26: 160-171
Lot's
Wife
The doings of Lot's people saddened his heart. Their unwholesome reputation
spread throughout the land, while he struggled against them. As the years
passed, he persisted in his mission but to no avail. No one responded to his
call and believed except for the members of his family, and even in his household,
not all the members believed. Lot's wife, like Noah's wife, a disbeliever.
Allah the Almighty declared: Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve,
the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous
slaves, but they both betrayed their (husbands by rejecting their doctrine)
so they (Noah and Lot) benefited them (their respective wives) not, against
Allah, and it was said: "Enter the Fire along with those who enter!"
Surah 66: 10
Angels
Come to Meet Lot
If home is the place of comfort and rest, then Lot found none, for he was
tormented both inside and outside his home. His life was continuous torture
and he suffered greatly, but he remained patient and steadfast with his people.
The years rolled by, and still not one believed in him. Instead, they belittled
his message and mockingly challenged him: "Bring Allah's Torment upon
us if you are one of the truthful." Surah 29: 29
Overwhelmed with despair, Lot prayed to Allah to grant him victory and destroy
the corrupt. Therefore, the angels left Abraham and headed for Sodom the town
of Lot . They reached the walls of the town in the afternoon. The first person
who caught sight of them was Lot's daughter, who was sitting beside the river,
filling her jug with water. When she lifted her face and saw them, she was
stunned that there could be men of such magnificent beauty on earth.
One of the three men (angels) asked her: "Oh maiden, is there a place
to rest?"
Remembering the character of her people, she replied: "Stay here and
do not enter until I inform my father and return." Leaving her jug by
the river, she swiftly ran home.
"Oh father!" she cried. 'You are wanted by young men at the town
gate and I have never before seen the like of their faces!"
Lot felt distressed as he quickly ran to his guests. He asked them where they
came from and where they were going.
They did not answer his questions. Instead, they asked if he could host them.
He started talking with them and impressed upon them the subject of his people's
nature. Lot was filled with turmoil; he wanted to convince his guests, without
offending them, not to spend the night there, yet at the same time he wanted
to extend to them the expected hospitality normally accorded to guests. In
vain he tried to make them understand the perilous situation. At last, therefore,
he requested them to wait until the night fell, for then no one would see
them.
The
Mob at Lot's House
When darkness fell on the town, Lot escorted his guests to his home. No one
was aware of their presence. However, as soon as Lot's wife saw them, she
slipped out of the house quietly so that no one noticed her. Quickly, she
ran to her people with the news and it spread to all the inhabitants like
wildfire. The people rushed towards Lot quickly and excitedly. Lot was surprised
by their discovery of his guests, and he wondered who could have informed
them. The matter became clear, however, when he could not find his wife anywhere,
thus adding grief to his sorrow.
When Lot saw the mob approaching his house, he shut the door, but they kept
on banging on it. He pleaded with them to leave the visitors alone and fear
Allah's punishment. He urged them to seek sexual fulfillment with their wives,
for that is what Allah had made lawful.
Lot's people waited until he had finished his short sermon, and then they
roared with laughter. Blinded by passion, they broke down the door. Lot became
very angry, but he stood powerless before these violent people. He was unable
to prevent the abuse of his guests, but he firmly stood his ground and continued
to plead with the mob.
The
Punishment
At that terrible moment, he wished he had the power to push them away from
his guests. Seeing him in a state of helplessness and grief, the guests said:
"Do not be anxious or frightened, Lot, for we are angels, and these people
will not harm you."
On hearing this, the mob was terrified and fled from Lot's house, hurling
threats at him as they left. The angels warned Prophet Lot to leave his house
before sunrise, taking with him all his family except his wife.
Allah had decreed that the city of Sodom should perish. An earthquake rocked
the town. It was as if a mighty power had lifted the entire city and flung
it down in one jolt. A storm of stones rained on the city. Everyone and everything
was destroyed, including Lot's wife.
The
Angels Meet Abraham
Allah the Almighty recounted this story: And tell them about the guests (angels)
of Abraham. When they entered unto him, and said: "Salaaman (peace)!"
(Abraham) said: "Indeed! We are afraid of you."
They (the angels) said: "Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of
a boy (son) possessing much knowledge and wisdom." (Abraham) said: "Do
you give me glad tidings (of a son) when old age has overtaken me? Of what
then is your news?" They (the angels) said: "We give you glad tidings
in truth. So be not of the despairing." (Abraham) said: "And who
despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?" (Abraham
again) said: "What then is the business on which you have come, 0 Messengers?"
They (the angels) said: "We have been sent to a people who are Mujrimeen
(criminals, disbelievers polytheists, sinners). (All) except the family of
Lot. Them all we are surely going to save (from destruction)."
Except his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain
behind (i.e. she will be destroyed).
Condensed
Version of Lot's Story
Then, when the Messengers (the angels) came unto the family of Lot, he said:
"Verily! You are people unknown to me." They said: "Nay, we
have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting. And we
have brought to you the truth (the news of the destruction of your nation)
and certainly, we tell the truth. Then travel in apart of the night with your
family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look
back, but go on to where you are ordered."
And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was
to be cut off in the early morning.
And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing (at the news of the young men's
arrival). (Lot) said: "Verily! These are my guests, so shame me not.
And fear Allah and disgrace me not." They (people of the city) said:
'Did we not forbid you to entertain (or protect) any of the 'Alamin (people,
foreigners, strangers, etc.) from us?" (Lot) said: "These (the girls
of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so)."
Verily, by your life (0 Muhammad), in their wild intoxication they were wandering
blindly. So As-Saiha (torment - awful cry, etc.) overtook them at the time
of sunrise; and We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and
rained down on them stones of baked clay. Surely! In this are signs for those
who see (or understand or learn the lessons from the Signs of Allah). And
verily! They (the cities) are right on the highroad (from Mecca to Syria,
i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now). Surely! Therein is indeed a sign
for the believers. Surah 15: 51-77
Allah the Exalted also declared: So We saved him and his family, all, - except
an old woman (his wife) among those who remained behind. Then afterward We
destroyed the others. And We rained on them a rain (of torment). And how evil
was the rain of those who had been warned. Verily, in this is indeed a sign,
yet most of them are not believers. And verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the
All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. Surah 26: 170-175
Lot's
Life after Sodom
The book was closed on the people of Lot . Their towns and names have been
erased from the face of the earth. Gone are they from memory. One book was
closed of the books of corruption.
Lot proceeded towards Abraham . He visited him, and when he recounted the
story of his people, he was surprised to learn that Abraham already knew.
And so Lot continued to invite people to Allah, as did Abraham , the patient
one who turned to Allah repentantly, and the two held firm to their mission.