Lut — The Overturned City
Ibrahim’s nephew, sent to cities practising unprecedented shame — mocked, threatened with expulsion, then rescued by night as the city was turned upside down.
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Emblematic verse
رَبِّ نَجِّنِي وَأَهْلِي مِمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
Transliteration
Rabbi najjini wa ahli mimma ya’malun.
Story
The full story
Lut, who believed with Ibrahim and migrated with him (29:26), was sent to cities committing an indecency none had done before — approaching men with desire instead of women, waylaying travellers, practising evil in their councils (7:80–81, 29:28–29). He pleaded: do you commit shame while you see? His people’s only answer was expel Lut’s family — they are people who keep pure (7:82, 27:56).
When Our messengers came as handsome youths, Lut was distressed — this is a difficult day (11:77). His people rushed, and he offered honourable marriage instead; they sneered that he knew they had no need of his daughters (11:78–79). He wished for strength or a powerful support — and the guests revealed themselves: we are your Lord’s messengers; they shall never reach you (11:80–81).
The order came: depart with your family in the night’s last hours, let none look back — except your wife, decreed among those who stay (11:81, 15:65). At sunrise the blast seized them; the city was turned upside down and rained with baked-clay stones marked by Allah (11:82–83, 15:73–74).
Lut’s rescue frames a permanent ruling: his wife, though a prophet’s wife, perished with the deniers — an example for disbelievers (66:10). Kinship never substitutes for faith.
Narrated strictly from the Quran (Quran 7:80–84, 11:77–83 and 15:57–77) without invented details.
Timeline
The story in order
- 1The mission: Ibrahim’s nephew sent to shameless cities.
- 2The call: abandon unprecedented indecency; marry honourably.
- 3The threat: expulsion for the crime of purity.
- 4The guests: angels in human form; the night departure ordered.
- 5The overturning: dawn blast, cities inverted, marked stones rain.
Reflect
Lessons
- ✦Purity itself becomes the charge when corruption rules.
- ✦Hospitality and honour stand even on the night of doom.
- ✦Marriage to a prophet never saves: Lut’s wife perished with deniers.
References: Quran 7:80–84, 11:77–83 and 15:57–77
Narrated from the Quran without invented details; consult scholars for rulings.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who was Prophet Lut?
Ibrahim’s nephew, sent to cities practising unprecedented shame — mocked, threatened with expulsion, then rescued by night as the city was turned upside down.
What are the lessons from Lut’s story?
1. Purity itself becomes the charge when corruption rules. 2. Hospitality and honour stand even on the night of doom. 3. Marriage to a prophet never saves: Lut’s wife perished with deniers.
Where is this story in the Quran?
References: Quran 7:80–84, 11:77–83 and 15:57–77. Read the verses with translation; consult scholars for deeper rulings.
Prophets