Prophet Lut
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.
