إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ قَدَّرْنَآ ۙ إِنَّهَا لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ 60
Translations
Except his wife." We [i.e., Allāh] decreed that she is of those who remain behind.
Transliteration
Illa imra'atahu qaddarna innaha lamina al-ghäbirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Lut's wife, who remained behind with those who disbelieved and were destroyed. The phrase 'qaddarna' (We decreed/determined) indicates that Allah had already predetermined her fate among those who stayed behind. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a reference to her disbelief and refusal to leave with the believers, resulting in her destruction along with the people of Lut—she either perished in the punishment or was separated from the righteous.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Lut (Lot) and his mission to his people in Surah Al-Hijr (Meccan surah). The context describes how the angels came to Lut to save him and the believers from his household. His wife is explicitly mentioned as an exception—she was not among those saved because she did not have faith in the message, exemplifying those who reject divine guidance even when living alongside believers.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the wives of Nuh and Lut as examples of disbelieving women who were married to prophets yet rejected faith. This hadith directly contextualizes the fate of Lut's wife mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that proximity to believers or prophets does not guarantee salvation—genuine faith and obedience are essential. It teaches that Allah's justice is absolute: those who reject divine truth face inevitable consequences, regardless of their social position or family connections.