Prophet Abraham (PBUH) left Egypt accompanied by his nephew Lut
(PBUH), 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.
It was at the height of these crimes and sins that Allah
revealed to Prophet Lut (PBUH) 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.
Allah the Almighty 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, O 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 (this
wife) among those who remained behind. (Ch 26:160-171 Quran)
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 set 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 doctrines) so they (Noah & Lut) benefited them (their respective wives)
not, against Allah, and it was said: "Enter the Fire along with those who
enter!" (Ch 66:10 Quran)
If home is the place of comfort and rest, then Lut 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!" (Ch 29:29 Quran).
Overwhelmed with despair, Lot prayed to Allah to grant him
victory and destroy the corrupt. Therefore, the angels left Abraham (pbuh) and
headed for Sodom the town of Lut (pbuh). 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 tree men (angels) asked her: "O 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.
"O 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.
When darkness fell on the town, Lot escorted his guest 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.
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 Lut (pbuh)
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.
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, O Messengers?"
They (the angels) said: "We have been sent to a people who are
Mujrimeen (criminals, disbeliveers, 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
the those who remain behind (she will be destroyed).
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 a part 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
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 (O Muhammad), in their wild intoxication
they were wandering blindly. So As Saliha (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." (Ch 15:51-77 Quran)
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. We rained on them a rain of torment. 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. Verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the All
Mighty, the Most Merciful. (Ch 26:170-175 Quran)
The book was closed on the people of Lot (pbuh). 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 (pbuh) proceeded towards Abraham (pbuh). HE visited him, and
when he recounted the story of his people, he was surprised to learn that
Abraham (pbuh) already knew. So Lut (pbuh) continued to invite people to Allah,
as did Abraham (pbuh), the patient one who turned to Allah repentantly, and the
two held firm to their mission.
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