فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱتَّبِعْ أَدْبَـٰرَهُمْ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ وَٱمْضُوا۟ حَيْثُ تُؤْمَرُونَ 65
Translations
So set out with your family during a portion of the night and follow behind them and let not anyone among you look back and continue on to where you are commanded."
Transliteration
Fa-asri bi-ahlik bi-qit'in min al-layl wa-ttabi' adbarahu m wa-la yaltafit minkum ahad wa-mdu haythu tu'marun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands Lut (peace be upon him) to depart with his family during the night, following behind them without looking back, as they flee the imminent destruction of Sodom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this command carries both literal and spiritual significance: the night journey represents divine mercy and concealment, while the prohibition against looking back symbolizes unwavering commitment to obedience and faith, rejecting any attachment to the doomed society. The phrase 'go where you are commanded' underscores absolute submission to divine guidance during moments of trial.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Lut's people (Surah Al-Hijr, verses 57-84), a Meccan surah that recounts the story of the prophet Lut and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The context provides reassurance to the early Muslim community in Mecca facing persecution, illustrating how Allah saved His believing servants while destroying the oppressors, serving as a parallel to the Meccan Muslims' struggle against polytheism.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records a hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned Lut's wife as one of the worst women, as she betrayed her husband and his message. Additionally, Tafsir traditions note that Lut's wife looked back and was destroyed, exemplifying the consequences of disobedience to divine command.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true salvation requires complete obedience to Allah's commands and unwavering focus on the straight path, without hesitation or looking back to worldly attachments. For believers facing trials, it demonstrates that Allah provides a way out for those who follow His guidance with conviction and trust.