The story of Prophet Lut (لوط عليه السلام) is one of the most important and powerful stories in Islam. Lut (Lot) was sent by Allah to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (located near the Dead Sea) to call them to monotheism and righteousness, and to warn them about their immoral and corrupt behavior. His story is mentioned in several places in the Qur'an, including Surah Hud (11), Surah Al-Hijr (15), Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26), Surah Al-Ankabut (29), and Surah Qamar (54).
Background of the People of Lut
The people of Lut lived in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (located near present-day Jordan and Palestine).
They were known for their wealth and prosperity but had fallen into severe moral corruption.
- Their society became notorious for:
✅ Idolatry
✅ Greed and dishonesty
✅ Sexual immorality (especially homosexuality)
✅ Public acts of indecency and oppression of the weak
Despite their wealth, their moral decay led them to engage in open sin and injustice.
Prophet Lut’s Mission
Allah sent Prophet Lut to guide the people of Sodom back to righteousness and warn them against the consequences of their sins.
Lut was the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham عليه السلام).
Lut had migrated with Ibrahim to the land of Canaan (Palestine).
- Allah appointed Lut as a prophet and sent him to the people of Sodom.
Lut’s Message
Worship Allah alone (Tawheed).
- Stop engaging in immoral and unnatural behavior.
- Stop oppressing and humiliating strangers and travelers.
- Return to justice, honesty, and morality.
- "Indeed, We sent Lot when he said to his people, 'Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with among the worlds?'"
(Surah Al-A’raf 7:80)
Rejection and Mockery
The people of Sodom rejected Lut’s message.
- They mocked him and accused him of trying to interfere with their freedom.
- They said he was old-fashioned and trying to stop them from enjoying life.
- They threatened to expel him from the town if he continued preaching.
- "But the answer of his people was only that they said, 'Evict them from your city! Indeed, they are men who keep themselves pure.'"
(Surah Al-A’raf 7:82)
Lut’s Warning and Their Response
Lut continued to warn them that Allah’s punishment would come if they did not repent.
- He reminded them of Allah’s blessings and urged them to reform their ways.
- But they responded with arrogance and disbelief.
- "Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a transgressing people."
(Surah Al-A’raf 7:81)
They even tried to force Lut to allow them to engage in their sinful acts with his visitors.
Visit of the Angels
One day, Allah sent three angels disguised as handsome young men to Lut's home.
Lut was troubled because he knew how corrupt his people were.
- He feared that his people would harm the guests.
- "And when Our messengers [angels] came to Lut, he was distressed and felt uneasy for them and said, 'This is a difficult day.'"
(Surah Hud 11:77)
The Attack on Lut’s House
When the corrupt men of Sodom learned about the guests, they rushed to Lut’s house.
- They demanded that Lut hand over the young men so they could engage in sin with them.
- Lut pleaded with them and offered them his daughters in marriage (in a lawful and moral way) instead of committing sin.
- "He said, 'O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests.'"
(Surah Hud 11:78)
The people ignored Lut and tried to break into his house.
- At that moment, the angels revealed themselves and told Lut not to fear — they were sent to punish the evildoers.
Allah’s Command to Lut
The angels commanded Lut to:
✅ Leave the city with his family at night.
✅ Not look back.
✅ His wife, who was among the disbelievers, would be left behind and punished with the sinners.
"So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained behind."
(Surah Al-A’raf 7:83)
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
After Lut and the believers left, Allah's punishment descended upon the cities.
- Allah sent a violent storm of stones and overturned the cities.
The entire region was buried beneath the earth.
- "And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned."
(Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:173)
"So the shriek seized them at sunrise, and We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of hard clay."
(Surah Al-Hijr 15:73–74)
Lut’s Wife
Lut’s wife was among the disbelievers and betrayed him.
- She supported the people of Sodom and did not believe in Lut's message.
- Allah decreed that she would suffer the same fate as the evildoers.
- "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 servants but betrayed them, so they [the husbands] availed them not against Allah, and it was said, 'Enter the Fire with those who enter.'"
(Surah At-Tahrim 66:10)
Lut and the Believers Were Saved
Allah saved Lut and the small group of believers.
- They migrated to another land to live in peace.
- "And We saved him and his family, except his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind."
(Surah Al-Hijr 15:60)
Lessons from the Story of Lut
Faith and morality are more important than societal acceptance – Lut remained firm even when the whole society opposed him.
The danger of corruption and immorality – The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah brought about their destruction.
Allah’s mercy and justice – Allah saved Lut and the believers but destroyed the sinners.
Don’t look back at sin – Lut’s family was commanded not to look back at the city as a lesson in cutting ties with sinful behavior.
Righteousness matters over blood ties – Lut’s wife was punished despite being the wife of a prophet because of her disbelief and betrayal.
The Remains of Sodom and Gomorrah
The region where Sodom and Gomorrah were located is now beneath the Dead Sea.
- The Dead Sea is known for its extreme salinity, and no life can survive in it — a lasting sign of Allah’s punishment.
- This remains a reminder of the consequences of immorality and disbelief.
- "And indeed, you pass by them in the morning and at night. Then will you not use reason?"
(Surah As-Saffat 37:137-138)
Conclusion
