قَالَ إِنَّ فِيهَا لُوطًا ۚ قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِيهَا ۖ لَنُنَجِّيَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ 32
Translations
[Abraham] said, "Indeed, within it is Lot." They said, "We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife. She is to be of those who remain behind."
Transliteration
Qala inna fihaa Lootan. Qaloo nahnu a'lamu biman fihaa lanunaajjiyannahu wa ahlahu illa imra'atahu kanat mina al-ghaabireen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels respond to Ibrahim's plea about Lot's people by assuring him that they know well who dwells in the city and will certainly save Lot and his family, except his wife who will remain behind with those who are destroyed. Ibn Kathir notes this reflects the angels' certainty in their divine mission and their knowledge that Lot's wife, despite being in his household, had chosen disbelief and would not be saved from the punishment. This ayah demonstrates that salvation depends on one's own belief and righteousness, not merely family connection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Ibrahim's dialogue with the angels who were sent to destroy the people of Lot. The surah itself is Meccan and addresses the persecution faced by early Muslims, using the story of Lot as an example of how Allah saves the believers while destroying the transgressors. The context follows Ibrahim's concern for Lot and his family when the angels inform him of their mission.
Related Hadiths
The story of Lot's wife is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (3383) and Sahih Muslim (2797) where the Prophet Muhammad mentions that Lot's wife was among those who perished with her people despite being in the household of a righteous prophet. This illustrates the principle that faith is individual and cannot be inherited.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true safety and salvation come through personal faith and righteousness, not through family ties or proximity to the righteous—each person is responsible for their own beliefs and will face the consequences of their choices before Allah.