قَالُوا۟ يَـٰلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مُصِيبُهَا مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ مَوْعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبْحُ ۚ أَلَيْسَ ٱلصُّبْحُ بِقَرِيبٍ 81
Translations
They [the angels] said, "O Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you. So set out with your family during a portion of the night and let not any among you look back - except your wife; indeed, she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?"
Transliteration
Qalū yā Lūṭu innā rusulu Rabbika lan yaṣilū ilayka fa-asri bi-ahlika biqṭ'in mina al-layli wa-lā yaltafit minkum aḥad illā imra'ataka innahu muṣībuhā mā aṣābahum inna maw'idahum al-ṣubḥ a-laysa al-ṣubḥu biqarīb
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels commanded Prophet Lot to immediately evacuate his believing family members during the night, warning that none should look back except his wife—who would remain behind to suffer the same punishment as the people of Sodom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that the command to depart urgently reflects the imminence of divine punishment, with the stipulation about not looking back serving as a test of obedience and faith. The reference to morning approaching indicates that the destruction would occur at dawn, emphasizing the certainty and nearness of Allah's judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Lot in Surah Hud, which details his preaching against indecency and the rejection he faced from his people. The specific context involves the arrival of angels at Lot's home to warn him of imminent destruction; this verse captures their final command to him before the punishment befell the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Meccan context emphasizes the certainty of divine retribution against those who persist in rejecting Allah's messengers.
Related Hadiths
The incident of Lot's family is referenced in various ahadiths regarding the punishment of the people of Sodom. Sahih Muslim contains hadiths warning against the sin of sodomy and its severe punishment, while Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections record accounts of Lot's warning to his people and the divine punishment that followed.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that obedience to Allah's commands requires immediate action without hesitation or backward glancing—a metaphor for not lingering in environments of sin or doubt. It also reminds us that rejection of divine guidance carries severe consequences, and that salvation comes through following the path of the righteous messengers.