فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍ مُّبِينٍ 79
Translations
So We took retribution from them, and indeed, both [cities] are on a clear highway.
Transliteration
Faintaqamnā minhum wa-innahumā la-bi-imāmin mubīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah took vengeance upon the people of Lot (the inhabitants of Sodom) for their transgression and rejection of His message, and indeed both the path of guidance and the path of destruction were made clear to them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah affirms that Allah's punishment was just because the signs and warnings were unmistakably evident to them. The phrase 'wa-innahumā la-bi-imāmin mubīn' (and indeed both are in a clear path) refers to both the right path shown by Prophet Lot and the destructive path they chose, making their choice and subsequent punishment entirely deserved.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Hijr's discussion of various destroyed nations who rejected their prophets. The context specifically addresses the people of Lot (Qawm Lut) and comes after the mention of the Companions of the Rocky Tract (Ashab al-Hijr). The surah emphasizes divine justice in punishing those who reject clear signs, a recurring Meccan theme addressing the Quraysh's rejection of Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
Sunan Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi report that the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the destruction of the people of Lot as an example of Allah's punishment for those who persist in grave sins despite clear warnings. The hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud emphasizes that Allah's punishment comes only after clear transmission of the message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's punishment is always preceded by clear guidance and unmistakable signs, ensuring that His justice is beyond reproach—a reminder for believers that ignorance cannot be an excuse when truth is made manifest, and that we remain accountable for rejecting clear moral guidance.
Related Ayahs
إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا ۖ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ
To Him is your return all together. [It is] the promise of Allāh [which is] truth. Indeed, He begins the [process of] creation and then repeats it that He may reward those who have believed and done righteous deeds, in justice. But those who disbelieved will have a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment for what they used to deny.
كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"
إِنَّ مَا تُوعَدُونَ لَـَٔاتٍ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
Indeed, what you are promised is coming, and you will not cause failure [to Allāh].
مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ ۚ وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
What comes to you of good is from Allāh, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muḥammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allāh as Witness.