قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ مُّجْرِمِينَ 32
Translations
They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals
Transliteration
Qaalū innā ursilnā ilā qawmin mujrimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels sent to the people of Lot announce their mission, stating they have been dispatched to a community of criminals. Ibn Kathir explains that this statement establishes the purpose of their arrival—to destroy those who persisted in heinous sins and rejected Allah's signs. This declaration underscores the divine justice in sending punishment to those who knowingly transgress Allah's boundaries.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the narrative of Lot's people (Lut) and the angels' visit. Surah Adh-Dhariyat discusses various groups and their fates; this particular passage contextualizes the angels' mission within the broader theme of divine punishment for those who commit grave sins and reject divine guidance. The context reflects the Meccan period's emphasis on accountability and the certainty of Allah's judgment.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3365): The Prophet ﷺ warned against imitating the practices of the people of Lot, emphasizing that such acts bring divine punishment. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah contains narrations about the destruction of communities due to widespread immorality, directly related to the fate described in this ayah's context.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that divine punishment comes to those who persistently transgress moral boundaries and reject guidance, serving as a stark warning against moral corruption and as assurance that Allah's justice is certain and unavoidable for those who knowingly commit grave sins.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا
And those who do not invoke with Allāh another deity or kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And there had certainly come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him; so punishment overtook them while they were wrongdoers.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ۚ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ
And thus do We recompense he who transgressed and did not believe in the signs of his Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and more enduring.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا
Do you not see that We have sent the devils upon the disbelievers, inciting them [to evil] with [constant] incitement?