The prophet Lut عليه السلام was ordered by his uncle, the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) عليه السلام to go to the city of Sodom, because there was not enough food in the place where they first resided. Lut was the nephew of Ibrahim عليه السلام, the son of Haaran, the son of Azar. However, the people of Lut عليه السلام had no norms and values. The inhabitants practiced idolatry, they cut off the roads of caravans and robbed people. In addition to that, it was the first time that there was a nation where men sexually approached other men.
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Mentioned in the Quran
Allah says in the Qur’an: “And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people, ‘You do such an abominable thing as none of the creatures before you has ever done. (After this warning) do you still approach men with lust and block the way [for travelers by robbing them] and commit despicable acts in your gatherings?” But the answer of his people was only that they said: then bring punishment of Allah upon us, if you speak the truth.”
He (Lut) said: “My Lord, help me against the people of the mischief-makers.” And when our messengers (angels) brought the news to Abraham, they said: “We will destroy the people of this city, for its inhabitants are wrongdoers .” He said, ‘But Lut is there!” They said, ‘We know very well who lives there. We will save him and his family, except his wife. She is of those who remain behind.” And when Our messengers came to Lut, he was troubled for them and had no strength to protect them.
And they said: “Do not be afraid and do not grieve. We will save you and your family, except your wife. She is among those left behind. We send down a punishment from heaven upon the inhabitants of this city for their transgressions.” And We have left a clear sign thereof for a people who understand.” (Qur’an, 29:25-35)
Lut’s wife عليه السلام
And in another Quranic verse it says:
“And (We have sent) Lut, when he said to his people: “Do you commit immorality, which no one in the world has yet committed before you? You approach men with lust, instead of women. No, you are a cross-border people.” The answer of his people was only that they said: ‘Drive them out of your city, for they are men who wish to keep themselves pure.” We saved him and his family, with the exception of his wife. She was among those left behind. And We caused a (volcanic) rain (of stones) to rain down on them. See what the end of the guilty has been!” (Qur’an, 7:80-84) *
Prophet Lut was very worried. For years he had been inviting people to Islam (surrender to the one God), but not even one person from his people had entered the community of Islam. The only Muslim family in town was Lut’s family. Moreover, not all family members in his house were Muslims. Luth and his daughters were steadfast in their religion, but his wife was still among the unbelievers. Therefore, Prophet Lut raised his hands to the sky and prayed, “My Lord, save me and my family from what they are doing.” (Quran, 26:169)
Three angels were sent
In the same period, Allah sent three angels, including the angel Jibriel, disguised as men to the house of the Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام as guests. Ibrahim, not recognizing the angels, prepared a grand banquet for his guests, but his guests refused the meals offered. The Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام became anxious and asked, “Who are you?” The angels replied, “Do not be afraid! We are the angels of Allah. We have been sent to the people of Lut, and we have been sent to bring you the glad tidings of a son who has much knowledge and wisdom.” The Prophet Ibrahim knew that Allah’s punishment for the people of Sodom was near. He immediately feared for his cousin Lut and he said to the angels, “Indeed, Lut is in there.” The angels replied, “We know better who is inside.” (Qur’an, 29. 32, 33) They reassured Ibrahim; Lut would be saved.
Then the angels went to Sodom disguised as handsome young men. Lut’s daughter, a believer, saw the handsome men entering the city and frantically ran to her father and informed him about the three men. The Prophet Lut عليه السلام went to the men. He welcomed them to the city of Sodom. Knowing all too well what fate would befall the young men at the hands of the men of Sodom, he intended to persuade them to leave the city for their own safety. But he was too embarrassed to ask the guests to leave, so he led the guests to his house and made sure that no one saw the three handsome men.
Lut’s disbelieving wife saw the men enter with her husband. She hastened to inform the men of the town that there were three attractive young men in town. The inhabitants were excited by this news and they gathered around Lut’s house and knocked on the door. Lut cried: “Verily, these are my guests; so do not disgrace me. And fear Allah and do not disgrace me.” The men became more and more impatient, they banged on the door and shouted: “Didn’t we forbid you to receive guests?”
Lut cried, “People, here are my daughters (the daughters of the people), they are purer for you.” (Qur’an, 68-71) He said: “Is there not a wise man among you?” The men replied: They said, “You surely know that we have no need of your daughters, and you surely know what we want.” (Quran, 11:78-79).
The prophet Lut felt powerless against his immoral and wicked people. The three guests in his house then made it clear that they were angels. They said: O Lut, verily we are the messengers of your Lord, they will never be able to reach you, so go out with your family in the night. And let none of you be left behind, except your wife. Verily, what will strike her is what will strike them. Verily, what has been promised to them will take place in the morning. Isn’t morning near?” (Quran, 11:81)
Today, there is consistently clear scientific evidence that lost Sodom was located on the Dead Sea. Allah سبحانه و تعالى has left us a powerful reminder regarding the people of Lut: “Then the scream seized them at dawn. And We overturned it (the city of Sodom in Palestine) and threw stones of baked clay upon it. Certainly! In this are Signs for those who see. And verily! She (the town) is on an existing road. (from Mecca to Syria).” (Quran, 15:73-76)
The people were punished
Lut [peace be upon him] has spoken much with his people. He went to them and spoke to them in a good manner both in private and in public. However, it did not help and they remained steadfast om their disbelief. His own wife was also among those who denied him and remained steadfast on her disbelief. After all the evil that the people of Lut [peace be upon him] had done, they received a punishment from Allah. The people of Lut received a shower of stones and clay, which wiped out the whole people. Allah says about this in the Qur’an: ‘They [the angels] said: ‘We have been sent to a sinful people, to rain upon them [a rain of] stones of clay, marked by your Lord, [meaning] for the extravagant.” (Qur’an, 51:32-34)
* See also Surat al-Shu’ara verses 160-175, Surat al-Naml verses 54-58, Surat al-Saffat, verses 133-138
