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
فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا نَرَىٰكَ إِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَىٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِىَ ٱلرَّأْىِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍۭ بَلْ نَظُنُّكُمْ كَـٰذِبِينَ
So the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars."
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ قُلْنَا ٱحْمِلْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ ءَامَنَ ۚ وَمَآ ءَامَنَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ
[So it was], until when Our command came and the oven overflowed, We said, "Load upon it [i.e., the ship] of each [creature] two mates and your family, except those about whom the word [i.e., decree] has preceded, and [include] whoever has believed." But none had believed with him, except a few.
وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ ٱلْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And to Allāh belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do.
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ
As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling.