قَالَ إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيْفِى فَلَا تَفْضَحُونِ 68
Translations
[Lot] said, "Indeed, these are my guests, so do not shame me.
Transliteration
Qāla inna hā'ulā'i dhayfī falā tafḍaḥūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Lot (Lūṭ) appeals to the people of Sodom, reminding them that his guests are under his protection and asking them not to shame him by violating the sacred duty of hospitality. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Ṭabarī, this statement reflects Lot's attempt to redirect their evil intentions by invoking the pre-Islamic Arabian code of honor regarding guests, even as he knows they are determined to commit abomination. The ayah demonstrates Lot's wisdom in using moral persuasion while maintaining his duty to protect those under his roof.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Lot and the destruction of Sodom (15:57-84), a Meccan surah that extensively addresses the rejection of prophets and divine punishment. The context shows Lot's house being visited by angels in human form, and the townspeople's attempt to breach his home for immoral purposes. This theme serves to console the Prophet Muḥammad regarding the rejection he faced from Quraysh.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sunan Ibn Mājah and others emphasizes the sanctity of the guest's right (diyāfah) and the host's obligation to honor them. Similarly, Abū Dāwūd records that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) emphasized honoring guests as part of faith (īmān).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that honoring guests and fulfilling the duty of hospitality is a sacred trust, and that moral conscience and appeals to human dignity can be tools for good even in desperate circumstances. It reminds us that protecting those under our care reflects both our honor and our submission to God's values.