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fa-mā wajadnā fīhā ghayra baytin mina l-muslimīna
but We did not find there other than one house of Muslims,
— Ali Quli Qarai
51Aḏ-ḎāriyātالذارياتVerse 36 of 60
The Winnowing Winds51. Aḏ-Ḏāriyātالذاريات
al-Dhāriyāt
The Winnowing Winds
MeccanVerse 36 of 60
Surah al-Dhariyat - Verses 35-37
35. Therefore, We brought out from therein all the believers.
36. But We found not there any household of the Muslims except one.
37. And We have left there [nothing but] a sign for [warning] those who fear the excruciating torment.
Corruption at times disseminates to such an extent that an honored Prophet like Lot (as) is backed by one single household, to be more precise by his household excluding his wife;
(“any household of the Muslims except one”).
As reflected in the blessed Verses in question, the angels said unto Prophet Abraham (as) who was concerned about Prophet Lot (as), his nephew, that they had expelled all disbelievers from the city of Mu’tafaka but one home belonging to the Muslims that stayed intact by Divine torment and the home belonged to Prophet Lot (as) and his two daughters. It is said that Prophet Lot (as) propagated monotheism for twenty one years, but only one person believed him. Thus, the inhabitants of the city deserved Divine Chastisement since it is reflected that they did not deserved Divine Guidance. Had some of them had faith, they would have remained unharmed.
The blessed verse 37 is saying that God Almighty left the city in ruins so that those who fear excruciating torment might take a lesson. The blessed Verse reflects that the Prophets were able to lead those unto Guidance who were prepared to have faith and believe in God Almighty believing that He is Most Gracious at the time of Mercy and Most Revengeful at the time of being Wrathful. Noticing the traces of Divine torment descended upon former peoples, their faith increases and fear of God Almighty overwhelms them, but those who are frail of faith are not prepared to receive Guidance, like the pretending Muslims of our time who take all disasters inflicted upon them to be natural phenomena and do not regard themselves to be blameworthy deserving such afflictions.