قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ مُّجْرِمِينَ 58
Translations
They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals,
Transliteration
Qalū inna ursilnā ilā qawmin mujrimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels respond to Lot's concern by affirming their divine mission, stating they have been sent to the criminal people of Sodom. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this declaration emphasizes the certainty of their purpose and the inevitability of Allah's punishment upon those who persist in grave sins. The angels reassure Lot that they are not mere travelers but divine messengers appointed specifically to execute Allah's judgment against the people of Sodom for their heinous transgressions.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Lot and his encounter with the angels who came to destroy the people of Sodom. The broader context of Surah Al-Hijr discusses various prophets and their peoples, illustrating the pattern of divine judgment upon those who reject guidance. This particular exchange demonstrates Lot's initial uncertainty about his visitors and the angels' clarification of their divine mission.
Related Hadiths
The story of Lot's people is referenced in Hadith Qudsi and various Prophetic traditions regarding the severity of sexual transgressions. Sahih Muslim contains hadiths about the people of Lot being among those who faced the most severe divine punishment, emphasizing the gravity of their crimes against natural law.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's justice is absolute and inescapable—those who commit grave sins while rejecting divine guidance will face the consequences, while it also reinforces that Allah sends clear warnings through His messengers before executing punishment.