Overview (Verses 66 - 70)

“And We made plain the case to him, that the last remnant of those [wrongdoers] will be wiped out by the morning.” (Verse 66) It is God, then, who has revealed to Lot this very serious piece of news, which is expressed in the Qur’ān as the last one of those people would be destroyed by the morning. Well, if the last of them is destroyed, it follows that the whole lot are destroyed, with none spared. Hence, caution must be exercised, so that no one is left behind to suffer the fate which was sure to engulf the whole city.

The sūrah relates this part of the story first because it is more suited to its overall theme. It now fills in the details of what happened earlier when Lot’s people heard that a number of handsome young men were visiting him. To them, that was a chance not to be missed: “The people of the city came [to Lot] rejoicing.” (Verse 67)

The way this is expressed portrays to what low and abhorrent level those people had sunk in their eagerness to fulfil their perverse, uncontrolled desires. This is shown in the fact that the townsfolk came in a group, rejoicing at the presence of young men, openly declaring their intent to rape them in broad daylight. This shameful publicity of their wicked intentions, in addition to the filthy action itself, is so abhorrent and repulsive that we cannot imagine it, but it was certainly true. An individual may harbour some perverted desire, but he conceals the fact and tries to satisfy his perversion in secret. He is ashamed if others know of it. In fact, sound human nature prefers to keep such desire private even when it is with one’s legitimate wife. Some animal species do not mate in public. But those wicked and evil people declare their lust shamelessly, come seeking it in groups, and rejoice as they expect to fulfil it. This is unparalleled perversion.

On the other side we see the Prophet Lot in distress, standing up to defend his guests and his honour. He tries to awaken in his people a sense of honour and fear of God. But he knew full well that they had no fear of God, and that such perverted natures would not respond to any compassionate, humanitarian appeal. Yet in his distress he tries every avenue: “Said he: ‘These are my guests: so do not put me to shame. Fear God and do not bring disgrace on me.’” (Verses 68-69) But his appeal awakens no feeling of honour or integrity. They had lost all such feelings. Instead, they rebuke Lot for entertaining any man as a guest, as if he is the offender by offering them the temptation: “They replied: ‘Have we not forbidden you to entertain any people?’” (Verse 70)