The reasons for the destruction of the people of Lot P;3
Selections from the Book ‘’Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance’’ …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (26)
4- Denying Lot (peace be upon him):
The people of Lot denied their prophet and persisted in their obstinacy. Consequently, their fate was that Allah hastened upon them a severe punishment and made them a lesson for those who possess understanding. Allah, the Exalted, said: {The people of Lot denied the messengers} [Ash-Shu'ara: 160]. And He said: {The people of Lot denied the warning.} [Al-Qamar: 33].
Many verses indicate that the denial of messengers was a reason for the destruction of previous nations, including the people of Lot. These verses clearly and explicitly show the relationship between the denial of messengers and the subsequent destruction and ruin that befell them. Among these verses is the statement of Allah Almighty: {And if they deny you, [O Muhammad] - so, before them, did the people of Noah and ʿAad and Thamūd deny [their prophets], (42) And the people of Abraham and the people of Lot. (43) And the inhabitants of Madyan. And Moses was denied, so I prolonged enjoyment for the disbelievers; then I seized them, and how [terrible] was My reproach. (44)} [Al-Hajj: 42-44].
These verses and their counterparts are mentioned in the context of consoling the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the rejection and turning away he faced from his people. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, presents clear evidence by narrating the stories of those who denied among the previous nations, detailing how they rejected their messengers and the consequences that befell them, leading to their destruction. This serves to alleviate the pain and sorrow the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) felt due to the disbelief of these rejectors. He was not the first of the messengers to face denial; rather, messengers before him were also denied. Furthermore, these stories serve as a warning and admonition to those who reject the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from his people, cautioning them that their fate may be similar to the fate of their ancestors who denied their messenger and were swiftly seized by Allah's punishment.
5- Immorality:
Allah Almighty said: {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.} [Al-Anbya: 74].
Verily, one of the reasons for their destruction was their indulgence in immorality. The verse describes the state of the people of Lot, stating that they were a people of evil, wickedness, transgression, indecency, and flagrant deviation from the path of Allah, from the natural disposition that Allah created them upon, from the right path, from morality, and from human values.
Indeed, disobedience to Allah and falling into sin leads to both worldly and afterlife destruction. When Allah Almighty intends to destroy a community, He commands them to obey Him, but they turn away. Then Allah inflicts upon them the deserved punishments, as He says: {And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent1 but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word [i.e., deserved decree] comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.} [Al-Isra: 16].
6- Corruption:
The people of Lot indeed spread corruption on earth, and they were dominated by these vile characteristics. They corrupted beliefs, behaviors, morals, and societal norms. Because of the great corruption they committed, the divine decree of Allah proceeded against them to destroy the corrupt. They committed such enormities that became a scourge upon their society and high morals. Lot (peace be upon him) prayed against them, saying: {"My Lord, support me against the corrupting people."} [Al-'Ankabut: 30]. Allah Almighty answered his prayer.
7- Harming Lot (peace be upon him):
Lot (peace be upon him) faced harm from his people as they conspired to expel him and those with him. They attempted to assault his guests, who were actually angels sent to destroy them, appearing in the form of handsome men. The Holy Quran recounts their crime of trying to commit lewd acts against Lot's guests, despite the sacredness of hospitality and the rights of guests. When the criminals learned of Lot's guests, they rushed to Lot's house with the intention to commit their vile acts forcefully and against their will. Lot (peace be upon him) endured immense distress, anguish, and tightness that only Allah knows, but relief came from Allah. The wrongdoers did not achieve their evil intentions.
Allah Almighty answered the prayer of Lot (peace be upon him) and saved him and his family from what they were doing. The divine decree of Allah proceeded against them and destroyed them.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance, pp. 325-328.
- The causes of the destruction of previous nations, p. 340.
- Interpretation of Surah Al-Anbya, Dr. Ahmed Nofal, p. 365.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of ‘’Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance’’ on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
