فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ قَدَّرْنَـٰهَا مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ 57
Translations
So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind.
Transliteration
Fa-anjaynahoo wa-ahlahoo illa imra'atahoo qaddarnaha mina al-ghabi-reen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the salvation of Lot (Lut) and his believing family members from the destruction of Sodom, with the exception of his wife who was among those destined to be destroyed due to her disbelief and rejection of the message. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase 'We had decreed for her to be among those who remained behind' indicates that Allah's pre-ordainment (qadar) had already determined her fate, and she was not among the believers despite being the wife of a messenger. The ayah emphasizes both divine mercy toward the believers and divine justice in punishing the deniers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Naml (The Ant), a Meccan surah that narrates stories of various prophets and their peoples. The context here is the story of Prophet Lot and his community, illustrating the consequences of rejecting divine guidance. The narrative emphasizes that kinship and family ties do not protect one from punishment if they reject faith, a recurring theme in the Quran meant to strengthen the believers during the early Meccan period.
Related Hadiths
In Sahih Bukhari, there is mention of the story of Lot's wife among the examples of disbelieving wives. Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used the examples of Lot's wife and Noah's wife as cautionary tales, as mentioned in At-Tirmidhi, highlighting that righteous deeds and family relationships cannot substitute for faith itself.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that faith is an individual matter between each person and Allah—no one can guarantee salvation through familial relationships alone, and each person bears responsibility for their own choices regarding belief. It is a profound reminder that proximity to righteous people or prophets does not automatically confer protection from accountability; rather, genuine belief and submission to Allah's will are essential for salvation.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ نَكِّرُوا۟ لَهَا عَرْشَهَا نَنظُرْ أَتَهْتَدِىٓ أَمْ تَكُونُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
He said, "Disguise for her her throne; we will see whether she will be guided [to truth] or will be of those who is not guided."
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا وَءَابَآؤُنَآ أَئِنَّا لَمُخْرَجُونَ
And those who disbelieve say, "When we have become dust as well as our forefathers, will we indeed be brought out [of the graves]?
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ زَيَّنَّا لَهُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَهُمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
Indeed, for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have made pleasing to them their deeds, so they wander blindly.
وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ دَاوُۥدَ ۖ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."