قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ ءَاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ 80
Translations
He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support."
Transliteration
Qala law anna li bikum quwwatan aw awa ila ruknin shadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Lot (Lut) expresses his helplessness and weakness in the face of his people's evil, saying he wishes he had strength to oppose them or could seek refuge with a powerful support. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Lot's sincere acknowledgment of his inability to prevent his people's abomination, reflecting his desperation and moral anguish. This statement demonstrates the profound difficulty of the prophetic mission when confronted with a society bent on sin, and Lot's trust that only Allah's aid could deliver him and the believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Lot and his people in Surah Hud, where Lot attempts to dissuade the men of Sodom from their immoral practices. The broader context describes how Lot's warnings were rejected, leading to his expression of despair about his inability to protect the believers among his people from the impending punishment.
Related Hadiths
The story of Lot's people is referenced in various hadiths discussing the greatest sins (kabair); notably, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) condemned the actions of Lot's people in multiple traditions found in Sunan Ibn Majah and Jami' at-Tirmidhi as among the most heinous transgressions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that acknowledging our limitations and weaknesses in the face of evil is not a sign of failure, but rather an opening to rely completely upon Allah's strength and wisdom. Modern Muslims facing moral challenges in their communities should reflect on Lot's example—doing what is rightfully commanded while trusting Allah for the outcome, not the results themselves.
Related Ayahs
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرُونَ
Assuredly, it is they in the Hereafter who will be the greatest losers.
تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيْكَ ۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَـٰذَا ۖ فَٱصْبِرْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْعَـٰقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muḥammad]. You knew it not, neither you nor your people, before this. So be patient; indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ
And O my people, this is the she-camel of Allāh - [she is] to you a sign. So let her feed upon Allāh's earth and do not touch her with harm, or you will be taken by an impending punishment."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ
Those are the ones who will have lost themselves, and lost from them is what they used to invent.