Prophet Lut, known in the Bible as Prophet Lot, was raised by his uncle, Prophet Ibrahim, may peace be upon him. Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) loved, respected, and believed in Ibrahim’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) message even when everyone ridiculed him. Prophet Ibrahim, together with Lut, traveled far, across land and sea, trying to invite and spread man to the fold of Islam.
During Ibrahim’s and Lut’s migration to Palestine, they received the divine decree of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) that Lut had been chosen to be a Prophet and Messenger for the people of Sodom. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) directed this new Prophet to travel to the city of Sodom, situated on the border of Jordan and Palestine, with the mission to guide the people who sinned back to the worship of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Sodom was a thriving city that was visited by many travellers, merchants and businessmen for trade. However, Sodom was also the most corrupt city with the highest criminal activity during that time. Travellers passing Sodom were often waylaid and robbed of their belongings, and sometimes were mercilessly murdered. But, the most notorious act of evil that was committed by this corrupt nation was homosexuality.
Introduction of Homosexuality
Homosexuality was introduced into the world by the people of Lut—none in the history of mankind had ever experienced or practiced homosexuality before Sodom. This shameful practice was the norm amongst this nation, and the entire population engaged in it. They were immensely proud of their conduct, spoke openly about it, and engaged in these immoral behaviors out in the open.
Pleased with the Prophethood and his new mission, Prophet Lut soon settled in Sodom and began to devise ways to bring his people in to the fold of Islam. He was well-aware that his nation was the most corrupt nation of that time; but he held firm faith and hoped and prayed that they would soon see the error of their ways and enter into the path of Allah.
Soon Prophet Lut approached the men of the city and reminded them of their Lord: “Will you not fear Allah and obey Him? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me.” — (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, ayat 160-163)
Puzzled, the men of the city began discussing amongst themselves: “This man has entered our city, and is telling us to cease what we are doing? Clearly, he is gaining something out of this!”
Prophet Lut replied: “No reward do I ask of you for it. My reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.”
Prophet Lut then broached the matter of homosexuality and informed them that it was indeed an immoral practice. He said: “Do you approach males among the worlds, and leave those whom your Lord has created for you as your wives? Nay, you are a people of transgressing!”
Prophet Lut then informed his people that he would never agree to be a part of this such a practice, and warned them of a severe punishment from Allah. He said: “I am indeed, of those who disapprove with severe anger and fury your action (of sodomy).”
He further cautioned them of the severe punishment Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had in store if they continued in their ways. The men and women of Sodom became very angry at Lut’s speech.
They conspired to drive Lut away from their city, threatening,“If you cease not, O Lut! Verily, you will be one of those who are driven out!”
This message of Prophet Lut is conveyed in the Qur’an,
“The people of Lut rejected the Messengers, branding them liars. (160) Recall, when their brother Lut said to them: “Have you no fear? (161) I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. (162) So fear Allah and obey me. (163) I seek of you no reward. My reward is with none but the Lord of the Universe. (164) What, of all creation will you go to (fornicate with) the males, (165) leaving aside those whom Allah has created for you as your mates. Nay, you are a people that has transgressed all limits.” (166) They said: “O Lut! If you do not desist, you will be one of those expelled (from our towns).” (167) — (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, ayat 160-167)
Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was deeply distressed. After years and years of relentless effort to guide people toward Islam, not a single person had embraced the faith.
Enduring immense suffering and striving with patience to save his people, he scolded them: “You commit the abomination that none in the world ever committed before you. What! Do you go to men (to satisfy your lust), engage in highway robbery, and commit evil deeds in your gatherings?” — (Surah Ankabut ayah 29)
They knew they were wrong, but they continued to belittle his message, openly mocking him, “Bring us the punishment of Allah, if you should be of the truthful” — (Surah Ankabut, ayah 30)
And so, the only household that praised Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) in Sodom was that of Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). While he and his daughters remained steadfast in their religion, his wife chose the path of disbelief. Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) then raised his hands and prayed,
My Lord, support me against the corrupting people. — (Surah Ankabut, ayah 30)
Meanwhile, Allah sent three angels, including Angel Jibreel, disguised as men, to Prophet Ibrahim’s house as guests. Ibrahim, who failed to recognize the angels, prepared a grand feast for his guests. But his guests refused the meals offered to them.
Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed.
The angels then proceeded towards Sodom disguised as handsome young men. The daughter of Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), a believer, witnessed the handsome men entering the city and frantically ran to her father and informed him of the three men. Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) approached the men and welcomed them to the city of Sodom. He knew too well of the fate that would befall the young men at the hands of the men of Sodom, so he intended to convince the men to leave the city for their own safety.
But Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was too embarrassed to ask the guests to leave, so he guided the guests to his home, ensuring that none saw the three handsome men.
Lut’s wife, a non-believer, saw the men as they entered her house, together with her husband, Lut. She hurried to the men of the city and informed them that Lut had three attractive young men in his house. The men rejoiced at the news and slowly gathered outside Lut’s house and began pounding on his door.
Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) shouted: “Do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?”
Growing restless, the men shouted back: “Have we not forbidden you from [hosting] people?”
The whole nation of Sodom had now gathered at Lut’s doorstep. They grew impatient by the minute and began breaking down his door.
Feeling agitated, Lut called out to his people: “These [the girls of the nation] are my daughters [to marry lawfully] if you must act so.”
The men responded: “You have already known that we have no interest in your daughters; and indeed, you know what we want.”
Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) became helpless against the corrupt people. “If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong power,” he thought.
The three men then spoke up: “O Lut, indeed we are angels of your Lord; [therefore] they will never reach you.”
Angel Jibreel then stepped out of Lut’s house and struck the men, causing all men to lose their eyesight.
Shocked and enraged, the men shouted: “What’s this magic that just hit us? Where did this come from? O Lut! You are the one behind this. You will see what we will do to you tomorrow.”
The blind men then returned to their homes plotting to destroy Lut the following day.
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) commanded to Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ):
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?
As instructed, Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), together with his daughters, left Sodom during the night.
Allah has set forth for the unbelievers the parable of the wives of Noah and Lot. They were wedded to two of Our righteous servants, but each acted treacherously with her husband, and their husbands could be of no avail to them against Allah. The two of them were told: “Enter the Fire with all the others who enter it.” (Surah Tahrim, ayat 10)
Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who left Sodom with his daughters, returned to his uncle, Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Together, they continued to spread the message of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) until his death.
Today, the site of Sodom, the city of corruption, is marked by the Dead Sea as a reminder of Allah’s wrath against the people of Prophet Lut.
The Qur’an reflects on this,“And verily! They (the cities) were right on the highroad (from Makkah to Syria i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now). Surely! Therein is indeed a sign for the believers.” — (Surah Al-Hijr, ayat 76-77)
MENTIONS HEBREW BIBLE AND NEW TESTAMENT
Moses in the Hebrew Bible referred to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Deuteronomy 29:22–23:
“Your children who follow you in later generations and foreigners who come from distant lands will see the calamities that have fallen on the land and the diseases with which the lord has afflicted it. The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur—nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, which the Lord overthrew in fierce anger.”
In the Bible New Testament, Luke 17:28–30, Jesus compares his second-coming to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah:
“Likewise, as it was in the days of Lot—they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all — so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed.”
ALL QURAN VERSES THAT MENTION THE STORY OF PROPHET LUT (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
In total, Prophet Lut is mentioned 17 times in the Qur’an. Below, you will find the remaining verses from the Qur’an that mention the story of Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), which were not directly referenced above.
And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot – and all [of them] We preferred over the worlds. — (Surah Al-An’am, ayat 86)
And [We had sent] Lot when he said to his people, “Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds? — (Surah Al-A’raf, ayah 80)
And [We had sent] Lot when he said to his people, “Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds? Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.” But the answer of his people was only that they said, “Evict them from your city! Indeed, they are men who keep themselves pure.” —(Surah Araf Ayat 80-82)
But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, “Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot.” — (Surah Hud, Ayat 70)
And when the fright had left Abraham and the good tidings had reached him, he began to argue with Us concerning the people of Lot. — (Surah Hud, Ayat 74)
And when Our messengers, [the angels], came to Lot, he was anguished for them and felt for them great discomfort and said, “This is a trying day.” — (Surah Hud, Ayat 77)
And O my people, let not [your] dissension from me cause you to be struck by that similar to what struck the people of Noah or the people of Hud or the people of Salih. And the people of Lot are not from you far away. — (Surah Hud, Ayat 89)
[Abraham] said, “Then what is your business [here], O messengers?” (57) They said, “Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals, (58) Except the family of Lot; indeed, we will save them all (59) Except his wife.” Allah decreed that she is of those who remain behind. (60) — (Surah Al-Hijr, ayah 57-60)
And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds. — (Surah Anbiya, 21:71)
And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient. — (Surah Anbiya, 21:74)
And the people of Abraham and the people of Lot — (Surah Hajj 22:43)
And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, “Indeed, you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds. Indeed, you approach men and obstruct the road and commit in your meetings [every] evil.” And the answer of his people was not but they said, “Bring us the punishment of Allah, if you should be of the truthful.” He said, “My Lord, support me against the corrupting people.” And when Our messengers came to Abraham with the good tidings, they said, “Indeed, we will destroy the people of that Lot’s city. Indeed, its people have been wrongdoers.” [Abraham] said, “Indeed, within it is Lot.” They said, “We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife. She is to be of those who remain behind.” — (Surah Ankabut, Ayat 28-32)
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies. — (Surah Sad 38:13)
And ‘Aad and Pharaoh and the brothers of Lot — (Surah Qaf 50:13)
The people of Lot denied the warning. Indeed, We sent upon them a storm of stones, except the family of Lot – We saved them before dawn As favor from us. Thus do We reward he who is grateful. And he had already warned them of Our assault, but they disputed the warning. And they had demanded from him his guests, but We obliterated their eyes, [saying], “Taste My punishment and warning.” And there came upon them by morning an abiding punishment. — (Surah Al-Qamar, Ayat 33-38)
Allah presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so those prophets did not avail them from Allah at all, and it was said, “Enter the Fire with those who enter.” — (Surah Tahrim, ayah 10)
