وَجَآءَ أَهْلُ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ 67
Translations
And the people of the city came rejoicing.
Transliteration
Wa jāa ahlu al-madīnati yastabashshirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the people of Sodom arriving at Lot's house in a state of eager anticipation and evil intent, coming to commit abominable acts against his guests. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'yastabashshirūn' (rejoicing/hastening eagerly) indicates their shameful excitement and determination to pursue their vile desires. The ayah illustrates the depth of moral corruption in the society, where even young men of the city had been so corrupted that they openly rushed toward sin without shame or hesitation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Lot (Lūt) and his people in Surah Al-Hijr, which recounts the destruction of Sodom due to their rejection of Lot's message and their persistence in the sin of homosexuality. The broader context (Ayah 15:61-77) describes how angels visited Lot to test his people and ultimately bring about their punishment, establishing the Quranic theme of divine justice against those who persist in clear transgressions.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan At-Tirmidhi regarding the prohibition of the actions of the people of Lot emphasizes the severity of this sin in Islamic law. Additionally, the hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud where the Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed those who imitate the people of Lot relates thematically to the destructive nature of such behavior.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a stark reminder that societies which abandon moral boundaries and rush eagerly toward forbidden acts invite divine punishment; it calls believers to maintain personal and collective moral vigilance and to never normalize or celebrate actions contrary to divine law, regardless of societal pressure.