265 Page Notes

15 Surah Al-Hijr (continued)

Page 265 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 265 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 265 of the Quran comprises Surah Al-Hijr (Chapter 15), verses 52 through 70.

This page chronicles two major historical events in close succession: the conclusion of the angels' visit to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to give him glad tidings of a son in his old age, and the arrival of those same angels in the city of Sodom to rescue Prophet Lut (Lot) right before executing divine judgment on his corrupt people.

1. Surah Al-Hijr, Verses 52–56: Glad Tidings in Old Age and Despair

"When they entered upon him and said, 'Peace.' He said, 'Indeed, we are afraid of you.' They said, 'Fear not, indeed we give you glad tidings of a learned boy.' He said, 'Have you given me glad tidings although old age has stricken me? Then of what do you give glad tidings?' They said, 'We have given you glad tidings in truth, so do not be of the despairing.' He said, 'And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?'" (15:52-56)

When the angels arrived disguised as human travelers, Ibrahim grew afraid because they refused to eat the food he served them (as detailed in Surah Hud). Once they revealed their identity and promised him a son (Isaac) in his advanced age, Ibrahim questioned the logistics out of amazement, but immediately rebuked the very concept of spiritual despair (Quwnoot).

The Prohibition of Despair in the Sunnah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently echoed Ibrahim’s absolute stance against despairing of Allah's mercy, listing it as a major spiritual malady.

When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about the gravest of sins, he categorized them to keep the believers clear of this mental trap: “Associating partners with Allah, despairing of relief from Allah, and losing hope in the mercy of Allah.” (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani, 11143; authenticated as Sahih by Al-Albani).

2. Surah Al-Hijr, Verses 57–60: The Mission to the People of Lut

"[Ibrahim] said, 'Then what is your business [here], O messengers?' They said, 'Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals, Except the family of Lot; indeed, we will save them all, Except his wife' - Allah decreed that she is of those who remain behind." (15:57-60)

Realizing that angels do not descend in human form merely for a domestic visit, Ibrahim asked for their primary military or cosmic directive. They informed him they were en route to annihilate the city of Sodom due to their flagrant sexual criminality and systemic injustices, promising to extract Lut and his daughters safely, while explicitly dooming Lut's complicit wife.

The Prophetic Sunnah on Loving What Allah Condemns

Scholars note that Lut's wife did not engage in the physical crimes of the town herself, but met the exact same destruction because she mentally aligned with, validated, and sheltered the wrongdoers. The Sunnah establishes a law of emotional association that mirrors her fate:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A person will be gathered [on the Day of Judgment] with those whom he loves.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6169; Sahih Muslim, 2640).

3. Surah Al-Hijr, Verses 61–70: The Siege of Lut's Home

"And when the messengers came to the family of Lot, He said, 'Indeed, you are people unknown [to me].' They said, 'But we have come to you with that about which they were disputing...' And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing. [Lot] said, 'Indeed, these are my guests, so do not shame me...'" (15:61-70)

The angels arrived at the city gates as strikingly handsome young men. Lut, unaware of their identity, panicked for their safety and hurried them to his home. His wife slipped out to alert the townspeople, who aggressively mobilized and surrounded Lut's house, demanding he hand over his male guests. Lut desperately pleaded with them, offering them legal marriage to the women of his tribe to protect his honor.

The Sacred Duty of Protecting the Guest (Dhayf)

Lut’s frantic defense of his guests ("Indeed, these are my guests, so do not shame me") highlights an ancient prophetic standard of hospitality. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ codified this behavior into a baseline legal and spiritual test for his own followers:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6018; Sahih Muslim, 47).

The Inviolability of Private Dwellings

The aggressive mob attempting to breach Lut's home to violate his privacy is heavily condemned on this page. To prevent any such infringement on domestic safety, the Sunnah established strict laws regarding home privacy, permission, and even the right to look inside someone else's house without authorization:

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Seeking permission [to enter a house] has been ordained only because of sight (to protect the privacy of those inside).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6241; Sahih Muslim, 2156).