The divine Sunnahs that were applied to the people of Lot P;1
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 (28)
- The Sunnah of Collective Destiny:
Allah Almighty said: {And for every nation is a [specified] term. So when their time has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].} [Al-A'raf: 34].
Allah has appointed an appointed time for every individual that marks the end of their worldly life. Similarly, He has set appointed times for nations and civilizations, which come to their conclusion, reach their end, and the curtain falls upon them. Likewise, for the collective movements of nations throughout history, there are numerous precise laws and ways that they follow, ordained by the Wise and All-Knowing, which are neither shortened nor exceeded. Their times are defined, and their events are predestined and recorded. As Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: {And for every nation is a [specified] term.} [Al-A'raf: 34].
Due to these appointed times being fixed and determined in Allah's knowledge, as part of a cohesive cosmic system, and according to temporal scales that may seem lengthy to humans with their limited relative capacities, and considering that Allah's will and wisdom in His creation have ordained these durations to allow each nation or civilization the opportunity to atone for its injustices and transgressions and to strive towards the path of justice and righteousness, some imagine themselves to be immune from Allah's punishment. They perceive no decline or downfall, as Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: {They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.} [Ar-Rum: 7].
Some others, however, go to extremes and hasten their fate as a challenge or provocation, saying: {And [remember] when they said, "O Allah, if this should be the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment."} [Al-Anfal: 32]. Yet, both these groups fail to realize that their appointed time has not yet come, and when it does arrive, they will have no choice but to face the consequences they have crafted for themselves beforehand. As Allah says: {And if Allah were to impose blame on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature, but He defers them for a specified term. And when their term has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].} [An-Nahl: 61].
Allah also says: {For every nation is a [specified] term. When their time has come, then they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it]."} [Yunus: 49]. This means that every community has an appointed time for the completion of their duration and lifespan in this world. When the time comes for their term to end and their lives to perish, they will neither delay it for an hour nor bring it forward. The addition of an hour is the least measure of time, and they will not bring it forward by the same measure because Allah has decreed this from the beginning.
And Allah says: {And We did not destroy any city but that for it was a known decree. (4) No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter. (5)} [Al-Hijr: 4-5]. This noble verses clarifies that every destroyed city had a predetermined term for its destruction due to the establishment of evidence upon its people, warning in advance, granting respite, and following the ordained laws of gradual consequence.
The Sunnahs of Allah remain steadfast, whereby the destruction of nations is tied to their appointed term. The destruction decreed by Allah for them is based on their conduct, actions, beliefs, and perceptions. Through this, Allah's will is fulfilled, and it should not deceive the deniers that Allah's punishment may be delayed for a period of time. It is part of Allah's justice that each individual tastes the consequences of their deeds and behavior. Allah's established Sunnah progresses steadily towards the predetermined end given to those cities, leaving no remnant of goodness behind. Thus, when their term arrives, they reach their destined fate.
And there is no nation that has known prosperity and then turned away from the truth, deviated from justice, except that Allah will destroy it before the Day of Judgment or punish it severely. This is a decree ordained in the written Book. Allah says in the Holy Quran: {And there is no city but that We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment. That has ever been in the Register inscribed.} [Al-Isra: 58]. This is what happened to the people of Lot, where Allah sent them a messenger to guide them, but they arrogantly and stubbornly rejected his call. They opposed it with defiance, denied it, transgressed, and lived in excess. As a result of their sins, divine punishment befell them according to Allah's decree for them, following His established Sunnah: {For every nation is a [specified] term.} [Al-A'raf: 34]. Therefore, the knowledge of Allah does not change, His sunnah (way) does not alter; it continues to govern and judge according to His will, knowledge, and wisdom, exalted is He.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance, pp. 332-335.
- Noah, peace be upon him, and the great flood, p. 344.
- Sunnahs of the Qur’an regarding the rise and fall of civilizations, p. 302.
- Social Sunnahs in the Holy Qur’an, 1/367.
- Divine Laws in Creation, Abdul Hamid Tahmaz, p. 35.
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:
