Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 37:133–138
The Ranks (Al-Saffat)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(133) Lot was also one of the messengers. (134) We saved him and all his people— (135) except for an old woman who stayed behind— (136) and We destroyed the rest. (137) You pass by their ruins morning (138) and night: will you not take heed?
Commentary
(a) Lot was Abraham’s nephew. He was sent to give guidance to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (in the Dead Sea area). The inhabitants of this place indulged in the worship of beings other than God. But they did not accept Lot’s guidance. At last, they had to face the wrath of God and all were killed except Lot and his companions.
The ruins of the towns inhabited by the people of Lot lay along the Dead Sea coast, and the Quraysh tribesmen used to pass by these ruins while on their way to Syria and Palestine to engage in trade. But unfortunately, man takes note of incidents that befall him but seldom learns lessons from the fate of others.