Al Ḥijr

إِلآَّ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

إِلاَّ امْرَأَتَهُ قَدَّرْنَآ إِنَّهَا لَمِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ

59. “Save the family of Lot, We shall surely rescue them all.”
60. “Except his wife, of whom we decreed that she should be among those who remain behind (in the chastisement).”

Hadrat-i-’Ibrahim (as) and Hadrat-i-Lot (as) did not recognize the angels in their first encounter. Therefore, Abraham said:

“Verily we are scared of you!”, ¹

and Lot said:

“Verily you are an unknown people.” ²

Certainly, these angels became as Lot’s guests while appearing in the form of some handsome youths with smart and beautiful faces, and that prophet got worried about such guests because of the corruption which was prevalent in that society. And it was for this reason that the angels, knowing about the curiosity of Abraham, especially in such matters and issues, would not be content with such a brief answer, instantly added that such an offensive nation is no other than the Lot’s people.

They also remarked that they were sent on the mission to wipe out that evil-begotten and shameless villains, pounding them thoroughly and to exterminate them altogether, except Lot’s family members whom they should rescue all. The verse says:

“Save the family of Lot, We shall surely rescue them all.”

However, as the Arabic phrase /’ alalūt/ (the family of Lot) with an emphasis on /’ajma‘in/ (them all), included all of his family members encompassing even his misguided wife, who cooperated with the pagans, and perhaps with the awareness of ‘Ibrahim of the matter, the angels immediately made her an exception to the rule, and said:

“Except his wife, of whom we decreed that she should be among those who remain behind (in the chastisement).”

Explanations

The Arabic term /qabirin/ is the plural of /q abir/ which means; ‘the remaining ones’ and the remaining soil is called dust. One may conclude from the concept of the noble verse that she (Lot’s wife) was among those who had got to stay in the town and was to be killed like other inhabitants of the town.

Footnotes

1. 1. The current Surah, verse 52
2. 2. Ibid, verse 62