The Story of Lot (part 1 of 2)
- Categories: Stories of the Prophets -
The Life and Times of
Sodom
God sent all the Prophets to their people with one message,
to worship God alone and not to associate anything or anyone with
Him. However, God sent Prophet Muhammad to all of humankind.
Although his message was the same, he came with a new law, one to
cover all people, in all places, at all times, even into a distant
future continuing to the Day of Judgement. The revelation of
different chapters of Quran was often in response to a particular
event or experiences of the Prophet and his followers. The stories
in the Quran teach lessons, provide the historical background of
humankind, and demonstrate the nature of God. The story of Prophet
Lot is one that is particularly pertinent in the 21st
century.
In many cities across the world, it is unsafe to walk down the
streets, even in daylight. Murder is rife, identities stolen, and
drugs abound. Nowadays most children in high school have already
encountered drug users and sellers. Alcohol is freely available at
corner stores, even though it is responsible for the break up of
families, domestic violence and the corrosion of society.
Paedophilia is rampant, as is child pornography and human
trafficking. Degenerate lifestyles are accepted and even thought of
as normal. This description paints a picture of a scary, out of
control world, but is it really so different from the time of
Prophet Lot?
The people of Lot lived in a society very similar to our own. It
was corrupt, the people had no shame, criminals and criminal
activity abounded, and those passing through the town of Sodom
risked robbery and physical abuse. The overall atmosphere of the
town was not one of a cohesive society. The people of Lot were
without morals, without standards and without shame. The
homosexuality that abounded did not exist in a vacuum, it was part
of a lifestyle that not only allowed, but also encouraged vice and
corruption. It was to this town that God sent Prophet Lot; his
message was to worship God alone. However, embedded in worship are
the desire and the willingness to obey God's commandments? The
people of Sodom were content with their corrupt ways and had no
desire to curb them. Lot became an annoyance and his words were
ignored.
Prophet Lot called the people to give up their criminal activities
and indecent behaviour but they refused to listen. Lot confronted
his people and admonished them. He pointed out their corruption,
their criminal activities and their unnatural sexual
behaviour.
{Will you not fear God and obey Him?
Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear God and obey
me. No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message) my reward is only
from the Lord of all that exists.} [Quran 26:161-164]
{إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ لُوطٌ
أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٦١﴾ إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ
أَمِينٌ ﴿١٦٢﴾ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
﴿١٦٣﴾ وَمَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ
ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ}
[الشعراء:161-164]
Transliteration: 'Idh Qāla Lahum 'Akhūhum Lūţun 'Alā
Tattaqūna(161) 'Innī Lakum Rasūlun 'Amīnun(162) Fāttaqū Allāha Wa
'Aţī`ūni(163) Wa Mā 'As'alukum `Alayhi Min 'Ajrin 'In 'Ajriya 'Illā
`Alá Rabbi Al-`Ālamīna
In the last 20 or 30 years, it has become common to talk of
homosexuality as a natural way of life, however according to God's
law and in all three heavenly religions, (Judaism, Christianity and
Islam) this is not acceptable. The new idea that homosexuality is
somehow genetically determined is also rejected by Islam. Quran
clearly states that the people of Sodom were the first to practice
this sexual aberration.
{Do you commit such immorality as no
one has preceded you with from among the worlds [i.e., peoples]?
Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you
are a transgressing people.}
{وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ
أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّنَ
الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٨٠﴾ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ
الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِّن دُونِ النِّسَاءِ ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ
مُّسْرِفُونَ} [الأعراف:80-٨١]
Transliteration: Wa Lūţāan 'Idh Qāla Liqawmihi
'Ata'tūna Al-Fāĥishata Mā Sabaqakum Bihā Min 'Aĥadin Mina
Al-`Ālamīna(80) 'Innakum Lata'tūna Ar-Rijāla Shahwatan Min Dūni
An-Nisā' Bal 'Antum Qawmun Musrifūna
The people of Sodom had reached such a level of degradation they no
longer had any shame. They would commit their unnatural acts in
public or in private. Satan was amongst them, and as is his way, he
made their actions appear fair and wholesome. When Lot insisted
they change their evil ways, they wanted to drive him out of town,
as if by calling to purity, he was the one committing a great sin.
The people of Sodom said to Lot, {If
you cease not, O Lot! Verily, you will be one of those who are
driven out!} [Quran 26:167]
{قَالُوا لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَا لُوطُ
لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُخْرَجِينَ} [الشعراء:١٦٧]
Transliteration: Qālū La'in Lam Tantahi Yā Lūţu
Latakūnanna Mina Al-Mukhrajīna
Lot openly expressed his anger and fury at the evil deeds and
unnatural acts and called on God to save him and his family from
the evil of the people of Sodom.
In another part of the world, Prophet Abraham, the uncle of Prophet
Lot, received three guests. Known for his generosity, Prophet
Abraham roasted a calf but to his dismay, the guests refused to
eat. This was very unusual. Travellers are usually hungry and the
fact that these guests refused his generosity made Prophet Abraham
very uneasy. The guests saw his uneasiness and tried to put his
fears to rest. They said, {Do not be
afraid!} [Quran 15:53]
{قَالُوا لَا تَوْجَلْ}
[الحجر:٥٣]
Transliteration: Qālū Lā Tawjal
His fears allayed, Prophet Abraham asked his guests what business
had bought them to his town. They replied, {We have been sent to a people who are
criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners}. [Quran
15:58]
{قَالُوا إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَىٰ
قَوْمٍ مُّجْرِمِينَ} [الحجر:٥٨]
Transliteration: Qālū 'Innā 'Ursilnā 'Ilá
Qawmin Mujrimīna
The people of Sodom had become corrupt, believing their evil ways
were acceptable. Unfortunately, in the 21st century we have become
so accustomed to evil and ignorance we are no longer able to
respond in the correct manner. We make excuses and try to justify
evil behaviour but the fact is, when people continuously, and
openly disrespect and disobey God we should be outraged. The angels
took their leave from Prophet Abraham and made their way to the
city of Sodom, in search of Prophet Lot and his family.
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com