ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱمْرَأَتَ نُوحٍ وَٱمْرَأَتَ لُوطٍ ۖ كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَـٰلِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتَاهُمَا فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا وَقِيلَ ٱدْخُلَا ٱلنَّارَ مَعَ ٱلدَّٰخِلِينَ 10
Translations
Allāh presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so they [i.e., those prophets] did not avail them from Allāh at all, and it was said, "Enter the Fire with those who enter."
Transliteration
Daraba Allahu mathalan lilladhina kafaroo imraata Noohin wa imraata Lootin kanat tahtа abdayni min ibадina salihayn fa khanatahuma falam yughniya anhumа min Allahi shay-an wa qeela dkhula an-Nara maadа ad-dakhileen
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah presents the wives of Noah and Lot as examples for those who disbelieve, demonstrating that noble lineage and marriage to righteous servants of Allah provide no protection from divine punishment if one turns away from faith. Their betrayal of their husbands—through disbelief and rejection of the message—rendered their husbands' righteousness powerless to save them, and both were commanded to enter the Fire with the other condemned. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize this ayah teaches that spiritual salvation is individual and depends on one's own faith and obedience, not on association with the righteous.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah At-Tahrim (revealed in Madinah), which addresses matters of halal and haram within the Prophet's household and the broader Muslim community. The context focuses on examples of betrayal and broken trust, using historical accounts to illustrate consequences of infidelity to divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3331): The Prophet Muhammad mentioned that the best women in Paradise are Khadijah, Fatimah, Maryam, and Asiyah (Pharaoh's wife), contrasting righteous women with the unfaithful wives of Noah and Lot mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
No person's righteousness or status can grant salvation to another; each soul is responsible for its own faith and deeds before Allah. This ayah reminds believers that true loyalty must be to the message of Allah rather than to family ties, and that proximity to righteous people without personal commitment to faith offers no protection from divine justice.