فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ 83
Translations
So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained [with the evildoers].
Transliteration
Fa-anjaynahu wa-ahlahu illa imra'atahu kanat min al-ghäbirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah saved Lot (Lut) and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, with the exception of his wife who remained behind with those who disbelieved. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that Lot's wife rejected faith despite witnessing her husband's message and the miraculous signs, thus she was included among those destroyed (al-ghäbirin - those who remained/were left behind). This demonstrates that family ties cannot save one from divine punishment if one persists in disbelief and rejection of the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Lot in Surah Al-A'raf, which recounts the stories of various prophets and their peoples during the Meccan period. The context addresses the fate of Lot's community and his family, providing the Meccan believers with examples of how Allah protected the faithful and punished the transgressors, serving as a warning and encouragement during the persecution of early Muslims.
Related Hadiths
The story of Lot's wife is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim through various hadiths about the people of Lot and the destruction of their city. Additionally, Tirmidhi records hadith about the wives of the prophets, including the mention of Lot's wife as an example of a disbelieving wife.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that proximity to truth and righteousness—even through family bonds with a prophet—does not guarantee salvation; rather, personal faith and submission to Allah are essential. It serves as a reminder that no one can intercede for those who deliberately reject Allah's guidance, emphasizing individual accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يَبْعَثَ فِىٓ أُمِّهَا رَسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا ۚ وَمَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِى ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا وَأَهْلُهَا ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother [i.e., principal city] a messenger reciting to them Our verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا۟ فَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ
But as for those who defiantly disobeyed, their refuge is the Fire. Every time they wish to emerge from it, they will be returned to it while it is said to them, "Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny."
وَلَن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِذ ظَّلَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ
And never will it benefit you that Day, when you have wronged, that you are [all] sharing in the punishment.