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
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مُصِيبُهَا مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ مَوْعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبْحُ ۚ أَلَيْسَ ٱلصُّبْحُ بِقَرِيبٍ
They [the angels] said, "O Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you. So set out with your family during a portion of the night and let not any among you look back - except your wife; indeed, she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?"
وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ
And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate."
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ أَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْمِكْيَالَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.
وَيَـٰقَوْمِ لَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مَالًا ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِطَارِدِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُوا۟ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰكُمْ قَوْمًا تَجْهَلُونَ
And O my people, I ask not of you for it any wealth. My reward is not but from Allāh. And I am not one to drive away those who have believed. Indeed, they will meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people behaving ignorantly.