English Translation of Al-Quran
[37].Surah As-Saffat (Those Ranged in Ranks)
Ayat 133. And verily, Lout AS (Lot) was one of the Messengers.
Ayat 134. When Allah saved him and his family, all,
Ayat 135. Except an old woman (his wife) who was among those who remained behind.
Ayat 136. Then Allah destroyed the rest [i.e. the towns of Sodom at the place of the Dead Sea (now) in Palestine].
Ayat 137. Verily, you pass by them in the morning.
Ayat 138. And at night; will you not then reflect?
Tafseer of Surah As-Saffat (Those Ranged in Ranks) Ayat 133 to 138. So also was Lout AS among those sent (by Allah) the best illustration of this passage about Lout will be found in 7:80-84. He was a prophet sent to Sodom and Gomorrah, Cities of the Plain, by the Dead Sea. The inhabitants were given over to abominable crimes, against which he preached. They insulted him and threatened to expel him. But Allah in His mercy saved him and his family, with one exception, (see the following note), and then destroyed the Cities. 134. Behold, we delivered him and his adherents, all 135. Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind: Cf. 7:83, Lout’s AS wife had no faith: she lagged behind, and perished in the general ruin. 136. Then Allah destroyed the rest. 137. Verily, ye pass by their (sites), by day Cf. 15:76. The tract where they lay is situated on the highway to Syria where the Arab caravans travelled regularly, “by day and by night”. Could not future generations learn wisdom from the destruction of those who did wrong? 138. And by night: will ye not understand?
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Ibn Umer (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: when Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH), and his Companions reached Al-Hijr, the dwellings of the Thamud people, he admonished his Companions (saying), “Do not pass by these people who are being tormented, without weeping, lest the punishment should befall you as it had befallen them.” [Al-Bukhari Book 04, Chapter 55, Hadith # 564].
Another narration is: Hazrat Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) passed near Al-Hijr, he said, “Do not enter without weeping, the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, lest the same chastisement should fall upon you as it had fallen upon them.” Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) then covered his head and sped up until he crossed the valley of the tormented people.
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah As-Saffat Ayat 136. Then Allah destroyed the rest and 137. Verily, you pass by them in the morning. The Thamud were the people to whose guidance Allah sent Prophet Saleh AS. They lived between Al-Madinah and Syria. In 10 A.H. when the Prophet ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) went to the Syrian border for the Tabuk expedition, he also passed through this ruined territory. This Hadith is related to the address which he gave to his Companions on the occasion. Here is an instruction that when we happen to pass through the territory of a nation destroyed in the past as a result of Divine wrath, we are advised to quicken one’s pace. That is why we have been commanded to avoid the company of the corrupt and the wrongdoers, lest we meet their bad end, too. As the Qur’an says: “And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you.” (11:113) May Allah save us from it!