إِلَّا عَجُوزًا فِى ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ 171
Translations
Except an old woman among those who remained behind.
Transliteration
Illa 'ajoozan fee al-ghabireen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the wife of Prophet Lot (Lut), who remained behind with those who disbelieved and were destroyed. The word 'ajoozan (an old woman) describes her condition, and al-ghabireen (those who remained behind/the destroyers) refers to those who stayed in the city of Lot to face punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that she chose to remain with the disbelievers despite her husband's message, thus she was excluded from salvation and perished with them.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which details stories of various prophets and their struggles with their peoples' rejection. The context specifically discusses Prophet Lot's emigration and the destruction of his people (ayat 160-175), emphasizing the fate of those who rejected the divine message, including Lot's wife who refused to believe.
Related Hadiths
Surah At-Tahrim 66:10 mentions Lot's wife as an example of a disbeliever despite being married to a believer. In Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, there are references to the story of Lot's people and their destruction, though this specific ayah is not directly hadith-dependent.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even family ties cannot save one from divine punishment if one consciously rejects faith and truth. This ayah teaches believers that sincere belief and righteous action are what matter before Allah, not merely outward associations or relationships.