Prophet Lut عليه السلام

Sent to the People of Sodom — A Warning Against Immorality

"Will you not fear Allah and obey Him? Verily I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me."

— Prophet Lut (AS) — Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:161-163

🌿 A City Consumed by Evil

Prophet Lut (AS) was the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). After accompanying Ibrahim (AS) from Egypt, he went to settle in the city of Sodom — a city on the western shore of the Dead Sea. What he found there was a community that had descended into deep moral corruption.

The residents of Sodom waylaid, robbed and killed travellers. They had also fallen into an unnatural sin — men engaging with men instead of with women. This abomination was practiced openly and without shame. It was at the height of these crimes that Allah revealed to Prophet Lut (AS) that he should summon the people to abandon their indecent behaviour.

But they were so deeply sunk in their desires that they were deaf to his preaching. Rather than listen, they threatened to drive him out of the city if he persisted.

📖 His Patient Mission

Despite their threats, Lut (AS) persisted. Year after year he called his people to righteousness, asking nothing from them in return — only that they turn back to Allah and live according to what He had created them for. He told them clearly that what they were doing was a transgression against the natural order that Allah had established.

His home was a place of no rest. His own wife — like the wife of Prophet Nuh (AS) — was a disbeliever who sided with the people of corruption. Allah mentions both women in the Quran as a warning:

Lut (AS) suffered greatly — tormented both inside and outside his home — yet he remained patient, steadfast, and completely committed to his mission. The years rolled by with no one responding to his call except the members of his own family.

👼 The Angels Arrive

Overwhelmed with despair, Lut (AS) prayed to Allah for victory. Allah responded by sending angels — the same angels who had visited Ibrahim (AS) with the glad tidings of a son — now headed to Sodom to carry out Allah's decree.

The angels arrived in the form of handsome young men. The first to see them was Lut's daughter by the river. Recognising the danger these beautiful strangers would face in her city, she ran home to warn her father. Lut was filled with turmoil — deeply distressed by what his people might do, yet bound by the laws of hospitality. He tried to warn his guests away from the city, but they insisted on staying.

That night, Lut's wife slipped away and told the people of the city about the guests. A mob rushed to Lut's house and broke down the door, overcome by their desires. Lut stood before them, pleading and urging them to fear Allah — but they roared with laughter and refused to listen.

At that terrible moment of helplessness, the angels revealed themselves: "Do not be anxious or frightened, Lut — for we are angels, and these people will not harm you." The mob was terrified and fled, hurling threats as they left. The angels told Lut to gather his family and leave the city before sunrise — all except his wife.

⚡ The Destruction of Sodom

Allah had decreed that Sodom would perish. A mighty earthquake rocked the city — it was as if a great power had lifted the entire city and flung it back down in one devastating jolt. A storm of stones of baked clay rained down upon it. Every person in the city was destroyed — including Lut's wife, who had remained behind with those who deserved punishment.

The book was closed on the people of Sodom. Their towns and names were erased from the face of the earth. Lut (AS) proceeded to Ibrahim (AS) and the two held firm to their mission — calling people to Allah with patience and certainty.

The story of Lut (AS) is a reminder that moral boundaries exist for the protection of humanity. May Allah keep our hearts firm on His straight path and protect our communities from corruption.

عليه السلام — Peace be upon him