Indexed OCR Text

وَ لَمَّا جَاءَتْ رُسُلْنَا إِبْرُبِيْمَ بِالْبُشْرِى ﴿ قَالُوْا إِنَّا مُبْلِكُوْا ◌َبْلٍ بُذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ وَ إِنَّ أَبْلَهَا كَانُوْا ظُلِمِيْنَ (٣١٦) قَالَ
إِنَّ فِيْهَا لُوْطًا ن* قَالُوْا نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ فِيْهَا وْ لَنُنَجِّيَّنَّمَ وَ آَبْلَهَ إِلَّ امْرَآَتَمٌ * كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغُبِرِيْنَ (٣٢)
TRANSLATION: When Our messenger angels came to Ibraheem v with the good news
(that he was to father a son by the name of Is'haaq v), they (also) said, "We are to destroy the
inhabitants of this town (of Loot v). Its inhabitants are certainly oppressors (terrible
sinners)." He (Ibraheem v) said, " (How can you destroy these people when) Loot is among
them." They (the angels) replied, "We know better who is present in the town. We shall
definitely rescue him and his family (from the punishment), except his wife. She will be
among those left behind (to suffer in the punishment because she is one of the Kuffaar)."
The Angels come to Hadbrat Loot V
As the people continued to reject the message of Hadhrat Loot v, he said to
them, "Do you not see that despite the long hours and efforts I put into advising
and guiding you people, I have never sought any remuneration or favours from
you? Does this not make you realise that I have no objective apart from pleasing
my Rabb and ensuring your salvation?" However, nothing could make them
accept and they continued threatening him with banishment and even death.
The time now came for the angels charged with punishment to visit Hadhrat Loot
v and inform him of Allaah's decision to punish the people.
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t reports that the three angels Hadhrat Jibra'eel
v, Hadhrat Mikaa'eel v and Hadhrat Israafeel v came to visit Hadhrat Loot v.
These were the same three angels who appeared in human form before Hadhrat
Ibraheem v, as was mentioned above. When they met Hadhrat Loot v, he
became worried about their safety because they appeared in the form of very
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handsome young men and it was men like this that the people of Sodom desired
to satisfy their vile lusts. He did not know that these were angels yet.
Just as he feared, the people came running to him to tell him to hand over the
guests to them for their purposes. Disgusted with them, Hadhrat Loot v told
them that the men were guests and that they should not embarrass him in front
of them. He again reminded them that they ought to satisfy themselves with the
women of their nation through marriage since there was no shortage of women.
However, they made it clear to him that they no longer had any interest in
women and that he ought to have known that if he brought any guests such as
these, it would only arouse and excite them.
However, despite him pleading with them, they forced their way in and Hadhrat
Loot v grieved about not having the ability or support to restrain them. Seeing
his concern, the angels consoled him by telling him that since they were angels,
the people would be unable to get close to them. They also told Hadhrat Loot v
that they were commissioned to destroy the nation the following morning and
that he should leave the area with his followers that night. In addition to this,
they told him to warn his followers not to look back as they left. However, they
informed him that his wife would perish with the rest since she supported them
and not him.
Hadhrat Loot v therefore left with his followers that night, but his wife refused
to go along with them. Early next morning, Hadhrat Loot v and his followers
heard a frightening sound from the cities and the entire area with the buildings
and inhabitants was ripped from the ground, lifted into the air and thrown back
upside-down. Stones were then rained down upon the place.
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A narration of Bukhaari quotes that Rasulullaah p said, "May Allaah have mercy
upon Loot, who was forced to seek the support of a strong pillar." A narration of
Tirmidhi adds that Rasulullaah p said, "After Loot, Allaah had not sent another
Nabi who did not have the support of his own family."
Although Rasulullaah p met with tremendous opposition from the Kuffaar, his
family members were there to support and protect him even though many of
them were not Muslims. It was for this reason that the Quraysh declared a
boycott on the entire Banu Haashim family.
Hadhrat Loot v desperately tried to lock his doors and secure the house against
the people, but they managed to scale the walls and get in. It was then that
Hadhrat Loot v grieved as he said, "If only I had the support of a strong pillar (a
family)!" This was before the angels informed him of who they were. They then
told him to open the doors so that they could give the people a taste of what
was to come. As the people started to come in, Hadhrat Jibra'eel v pointed to
their eyes and they instantly became blind. This caused them to run away in
panic.
Some narrations suggest that the wife of Hadhrat Loot v also left with him, but
she looked back when the punishment struck and became grieved over the
plight of her people. It was then that a stone came hurtling towards her and
killed her where she stood.107
The Qur'aan declares that the cities were turned upside-down and then such
stones rained down, which bore the names of the people they were to strike. It
107
Qurtubi and Mazhari.
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is for this reason that the Qur'aan refers to the cities as 'the overturned cities'. It
has been stated that Hadhrat Jibra'eel v slipped his wing beneath the ground
upon which the cities stood and lifted it up in such a manner that the water filled
in utensils did not even spill over. The sounds of the people and their dogs and
other animals could be heard coming from the skies, after which the ground was
turned upside down and hurled back to the earth.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Verses 61-77 of Surah Hijr narrate the incident as follows:
فَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَلَ لُوْطٍ الْمُرْسَلُوْنَ (١) قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّنْكَرُوْنَ (٢٢) قَالُوا بَلْ جِئْنُكَ بِمَا كَانُوا فِيْهِ يَمْتَرُوْنَ (٢٣)
وَ أَتَيْكَ بَالْحَقِّ وَ إِنَّا لَصدِقُوْنَ (٢٣) فَاسْرِ بِأَبْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَّ الَِّلِ وَاتَّبِعْ آَدْبَارَبُمْ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ
وَّامْضُوْا حَيْثُ تُؤْمَرُوْنَ (٢٥) وَقَضَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ الْأَمْرَ أَنَّ دَابِرَ بُؤُلَاءِ مَقْطُوْعٌ مُّصْبِحِيْنَ (٢٢) وَجَاءَ أَبْلُ
الْمَدِيْنَةِ يَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ (٧) قَالَ إِنَّ بَؤُلَاءٍ ضَيْفِى فَلَا تَفْضَحُوْنِ (٢٨) وَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُخْزُوْنِ (٢٩) قَالُوا أَوَلَمْ
نَنْهَكَ عَنِ الْعُلَّمِيْنَ (٧٠) قَالَ بُؤُلَاءِ بَنْتِىَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فَعِلِيْنَ (٧١٠) لَعَمْرُكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِى سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُوْنَ (٧٢)
فَآَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ مُشْرِقِيْنَ (٧٣) فَجَعَلْنَا عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَّيْهِمْ حِجَارَةً مِّنْ سِجِّيْلٍ (٧٢) إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ
لَأَيْتٍ لَلْمُتَوَسِّمِيْنَ (٧٥) وَ إِنَّهَا لَبِسَبِيْلٍ مُّقِيِمٍ (٧٢) إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لَآيَةَّ لَّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ (+٧٧)
TRANSLATION: (After leaving Ibraheem v, the angels proceeded to inform Loot v about their duty.)
When the messengers came to the family of Loot he said (to the messenger angels), "Indeed
you are unfamiliar people." They said, "No (we are not people). In fact we (are angels who)
have brought to you something (the punishment) which they (your people) used to doubt
(would ever come to them). (To reassure him, they added,) We have brought the truth to you
and we are certainly from the truthful ones (you should therefore do exactly as we say). So
leave (the town) with your family during a portion (the last part) of the night, follow on their
heels (to ensure that all of them are well) and let none of you turn around (to look at what is to
become of the others). Then proceed to where you have been commanded (to go, to Shaam)."
We informed him of Our decision that the roots of these people shall be severed by the
morning (they will all be destroyed without trace by the morning). (As the angels were talking to
Loot v,) The people of the town came rejoicing (they rushed happily to where Loot v stood with
the angels because they intended to commit sodomy with the angels whom they thought were merely
handsome men). (Gauging their intention) Loot v said, "These are my guests, so do not
disgrace me (in front of them by making your intentions known to them). Fear (the punishment of)
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Allaah and do not humiliate me." They (the people) replied, "Have we not forbidden you
from (associating with anyone in) the world (had you done what we told you, you would not be
faced with this situation of being humiliated) ?" He (Loot v) said, "Here are my daughters (whom
you may marry) if you must do something (about satisfying your sexual desires)."By your life!
They (the people of Loot v) were blinded in their intoxication (their intense desires made them
oblivious of all good advice). (Nevertheless, they were unable to harm the angels at all.) So (Allaah's
punishment finally came to them when) a scream seized them at sunrise (Jibra'eel u gave a
piercing scream that caused them to die with fear). (Thereafter,) We turned them upside down
(Jibra'eel v lifted their towns into the sky and then dropped it upside down) and showered clay
pebbles on them (each pebble was marked with the name of the person it was meant to strike).
Indeed in this are Aayaat for those who have foresight (by this they can understand the severe
consequences of disobeying the Ambiyaa). These towns are along an accessible thoroughfare
(the ruins of these towns fell on the road that the people of Makkah used when travelling to Shaam,
making it easy for them to take a lesson and thus believe in Rasulullaah p). There is certainly a
sign in this for the Mu'mineen.
Allaah says in verses 33-35 of Surah Ankaboot:
وَلَّمَّا أَنْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوْطًا سِىَّءَبِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَّ قَالُوْا لَا تَخَفْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ ن إِنَّا مُنَجُّوْكَ وَ أَبْلَكَ إِلَّا
امْرَاتَكَ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغُبِرِيْنَ (٣٣) إِنَّا مُنْزِلُوْنَ عَلَى أَبْلِ بُذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُوْنَ (٣٣)
وَلَقَدْ تَّرَكْنَا مِنْهَا أَيَّةٌّ بَيِّئَةَّ لَّقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ (٣٥)
TRANSLATION: When Our messenger angels came to Loot v (to inform him about what was to
take place), he was grieved (troubled) by their presence and his heart constricted (because he
feared that his people would attempt to sodomise them). They (the angels) said, "Do not fear, nor
grieve (because we are angels and the people cannot harm us in the least). (We shall shortly destroy
your people but) We will surely rescue you and your family, except your wife. She will be of
those left behind (to suffer the punishment). We will send down on the people of this town a
punishment from the sky (a shower of stones) on account of their disobedience." Indeed We
left behind in them (in those towns) an Aayah (a sign) which is clear to those who have
understanding (making it clear to them that this is the plight of those who fail to believe in their
Ambiyaa).
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Verses 77-83 of Surah Hood reads:
وَلَمَّا جَاءَتْ رُسُلْنَا لُوْطًا سِىءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَقَالَ بُذَا يَوْمٌ عَصِيْبٌ (٧٧) وَجَاءَةً قَوْمُهُ يُبْرَعُوْنَ
إِلَيْهِ ﴿ وَمِنْ قَبْلُ كَانُوا يَعْمَلُوْنَ السَّيَّاتِ * قَالَ يَقَوْمِ بَؤُلَاءِ بَنَاتِئْ بُنَّ أَطْبَرُ لَكُمْ فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُخْزُوْنِ فِىْ ضَيْفِى
آَيْسَ مِنْكُمْ رَجُلٌ رَّشِيْدٌ (٧٨) قَالُوْا لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِىٌ بَنْتِكَ مِنْ حَقِّ ◌ٌ وَ إِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيْدُ (٧٩) قَالَ لَوْ
أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ أَوِى إِلَى رُكْنٍ شَدِيْدٍ (٨٠) قَالُوْا يُلُوْطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَنْ يَّصِلُوا إِلَيْكَ فَاسْرِ بِأَبْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ
مِّنَ الَّيْلِ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّ امْرَاتَكَ - إِنََّ مُصِيْنُهَا مَا أَصَابَهُمْ ﴿ إِنَّ مَوْعِدَبُمُ الصُّبْحُ ﴿ اَلَيْسَ الصُّبْحُ
بِقَرِيْبٍ (٨١) فَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا جَعَلْنَا عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَ أَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهَا حِجَارَةً مِّنْ سِجِّيْلٍ :ٌ مَّنْضُوْدٍ (٨٢)
مُسَوَّمَةً عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ﴿ وَمَا بِىَ مِنَ الظَّلِمِيْنَ بِبَعِيْدٍ (٨٣)
TRANSLATION: When Our messenger angels came to Loot v, he became distressed
because of their presence and his heart tightened (because the angels appeared as handsome
young men, Loot v feared that his people would want to commit sodomy with them). He said, "This
is a day of misfortune." (As he feared,) His people came running to him (to see his guests).
(This was nothing new because) Before this they had always engaged in evil works (sodomy
and other evil acts). He (Loot v) said, "O my people! These daughters of mine are purer for
you (to marry and satisfy yourselves with), so fear Allaah and do not disgrace me in front of
my guests. Is there not a (single) righteous man among you (who can convince the others)?"
They replied, "You know very well that we have no interest in your daughters. You are
also well aware of our intentions." He said, "If only I had some might against you or (if
only) I could seek protection from a strong pillar (a powerful tribe)." The angels said, "O
Loot! We are the messengers of your Rabb. They will never be able to reach (harm) you. So
leave (the cities) with your family during a portion of the night, and none should turn to
look back; excepting your wife, (do not take her with you because) she will be afflicted with
the same punishment that shall afflict them. The morning has been fixed for the
punishment. Is the morning not soon enough?" When Our order (punishment) came, We
made the upper portion of the land the lower portion (the cities were lifted and then thrown
upside down) and We rained down on the land continuously falling stones of pottery clay
that were marked by your Rabb (every stone bore the name of the person it was meant to strike).
These (destroyed cities) are not far from the oppressors (from the Mushrikeen of Makkah, who
passed by them when they travelled to Shaam).
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Verses 160-175 of Surah Shu'araa state:
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوْطٍ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ (١٠)]ُ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوْبُمْ لُوْطٌ آَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ (١١) إِنِّيْ لَكُمْ رَسُوْلٌ آَمِيْنٌ (١٢)
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَ أَطِيْعُوْنِ (١٢٣) وَمَا اسْلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرِ نَّ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّ عَلَى رَبِّ الْعُلَمِيْنَ (١٢٣) ﴿ آَتَأْتُوْنَ
الذِّكْرَانَ مِنَ الْعُلَمِيْنَ (١٥) وَ تَذَرُوْنَ مَا خَلَقَ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ مِّنْ أَزْوَاحِكُمْ * بَلْ أَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ عُدُوْنَ (١٢) قَالُوْا
لَئِنْ لَّمْ تَنْتَمِ يلُوْطُ لَتَكُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْمُخْرَجِيْنَ (١٧) قَالَ إِنِّيْ لِعَمَلِكُمْ مِّنَ الْقَالِيْنَ (١٢٨) ﴿ رَبِّ نَجِّنِى وَ أَبْلِى مِمَّا
يَعْمَلُوْنَ (١٩٩) فَنَجَّيْتُمُ وَ آَبْلَهُ أَجْمَعِيْنَ (١٧٠) إِلَّا عَجُوْزًا فِى الْغُبِرِيْنَ (١٧١) ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا الْأُخَرِيْنَ (١٧٢)
وَ أَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَّطَرًّا ، فَسَآءَ مَطَرُ الْمُنْذَرِيْنَ (١٧٣) إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لَأَيَةَّ ٥* وَ مَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُبُمْ مُّؤْمِنِيْنَ
(١٧٣) وَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الرَّحِيمُ (١٧٥)٪
TRANSLATION: The nation of Loot v rejected those sent (as Ambiyaa). (Remember the time)
When their brother Loot v said to them, "Do you not fear (Allaah's punishment for committing
Shirk)? I am certainly a trustworthy messenger to you. So fear Allaah and obey me. I do
not ask you for any payment for this (for preaching Towheed to you). My payment (reward) is
the responsibility of Allaah, the Rabb of the universe. From the universe (from all people) do
you go to men (to fulfil your sexual desires) leaving aside your wives whom your Rabb has
created for you (to cohabit with)? You are certainly a transgressing nation (who have
transgressed the limits of morality and of pure human nature)." They replied, "O Loot! If you do
not desist (from preaching to us), you will surely be from those who are banished (driven out
of our town)." He (Loot v) said, " (There is no way in which I shall ever desist from trying to stop you
people because) I am certainly among those who detest your action." (However, when the
people refused to listen to him despite his tireless efforts to change them, he finally made du'aa to
Allaah saying,) "O my Rabb! Save me and my family from what (evils) these people do (and
from the punishment that is due to them because of their evil ways)." So (when Our punishment
came to his community,) We saved him and all the members of his family except an old lady
(his wife), who was among those who were left behind (to die in the punishment because she
was a Kaafir as well). Then (after saving Loot v and the other Mu'mineen) We destroyed the
others (the Kuffaar). We sent a torrential shower (of stones) upon them. Evil indeed was the
rain of those who were forewarned (whereas they were warned about Allaah's punishment, they
refused to mend their ways and were finally destroyed). There is certainly a great Aayah in this.
However, most of them do not have Imaan (even after hearing these true events). Verily your
Rabb is Mighty (Powerful enough to destroy whoever He wills), the Most Merciful (Forgiving
enough to pardon whoever repents sincerely).
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Allaah says in verse 10 of Surah Tahreem:
ضَرَبَ اللهُ مَثَلًا لَلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوا امْرَآَتَ نُوْحِ وَّ امْرَآَتَ لُوْطٍ * كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَالِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتُهُمَا
فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَّ قِيْلَ ادْ خُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدَّخِلِيْنَ (١٠)
For the (benefit of the) Kuffaar Allaah gives the example of the wife of Nooh v and the wife
of Loot v. They were both in the marriage of two pious men of My bondsmen but they
betrayed them (by failing to accept Imaan). So they (Nooh v and Loot v) were of no assistance
to their wives against (the punishment of) Allaah (despite their closeness) and the two (women)
will be told (in the Aakhirah), "Enter the Fire (of Jahannam) with those (Kuffaar who are)
entering."
Conclusions and lessons
The Area where the People of Hadhrat Loot I lived
Hadhrat Loot v travelled with his uncle to many places such as Shaam, Palestine
and Egypt to spread the word of Allaah. Eventually, he settled amongst people
who were the first on earth to initiate the vile act of homosexuality. Hadhrat
Hudhayfah t has been reported to say that since the men engaged in
homosexuality and would have nothing to do with their women, the women
engaged in lesbianism.
The area where they lived is now the eastern part of Jordan and the capital city
of Sodom stood either exactly where the Dead Sea is now located or somewhere
close by. Apart from the city of Sodom, there were another four cities that made
up the area. The central portion of each of these cities was flourishing with
flowers and appeared to be endless gardens. These were so beautiful that they
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attracted everyone who looked at them. However, despite this, all that is now
left of this once enviable area is the Dead Sea. What appear to be ruins of cities
may be seen beneath the Dead Sea and archaeologists believe that these are
indeed the ruins of Sodom.
A Strange Sin
It has been established from the Qur'aan and Ahadeeth that the people of
Hadhrat Loot v had inverted their human nature to such an extent that it was
impossible to reset. While people usually regard their sins to be sins, these
people were not only oblivious to their act being a sin, but they actually regarded
it as a hallmark of their nation to be proud about. It was also a favourite pastime
of theirs to engage in sin in public.
Their practice of men deriving sexual pleasure from men and women doing the
same with women was an act that even animals do not perpetrate. When they
became so morally depraved, they could not even tolerate to have anyone in
their midst who disapproved of their ways. Referring to the three primary sins
because of which they were eventually destroyed, the Qur'aan quotes the words
of Hadhrat Loot v, who said to the people, "Do you approach men (for sexual pleasure
instead of women), waylay the highways (to rob travellers) and (without shame, you even)
perpetrate evil in your gatherings (in public) ?" .108
The sin of homosexuality was the worst of these sins and is unanimously
regarded by this Ummah as being even worse than the sin of fornication.
108 Surah Ankaboot, verse 29.
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The Punishment for Homosexuality in Islam
It was primarily because of the sin of homosexuality that the people of Sodom
were destroyed. The Shari'ah has therefore enforced stringent penalties for this
despicable sin to ensure that society remains free of it.
One Hadith states that both parties involved in the act of homosexuality must be
executed, regardless of whether they are married to women or not. Another
narration states that both will be stoned to death. However, since the act never
took place during the time of Rasulullaah p, he never practically demonstrated
which punishment to inflict.
Hadhrat Ali t is reported to have said that convicted homosexuals are to be
executed by sword and their bodies are to be burnt rather than being buried.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t also subscribed to this opinion. Hadhrat Umar t and Hadhrat
Uthmaan t were of the opinion that homosexuals are to be crushed beneath an
old building. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas t stated that such a person is to be
thrown headlong off the highest building, after which stones are to be rained
down upon him. This is also the opinion of Imaam Abu Haneefah ai>, which
resembles the punishment received by the people of Sodom.
Imaam Shaafi'ee il , states that he is to be executed by the sword, while Imaam
state that he is to be stoned to death. Then there are those scholars who state
that the same penalty as adultery is to be meted to them, viz. 100 lashes and
banishment for the unmarried and stoning for the married. Scholars holding this
view include Hadhrat Sa'eed bin Musayyib il, Hadhrat Ataa , Hadhrat Hasan
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Basri , Hadhrat Ibraheem Nakha'ee , Imam Sufyan Thowil and
Imaam Awzaa'ee al dan ).
The reason for these differences between the scholars is the fact that no specific
penalty has been prescribed by the Qur'aan and Ahadeeth. There are many
other such heinous crimes in the Shari'ah that have no prescribed penalty. It will
be up to the Muslim judge to prescribe suitable punishment. In fact, it has been
reported that Imaam Abu Haneefah il , and Imaam Shaafi'ee il also stated that
the punishment for the homosexual is to be decided by the judge.
A Warning
The severity of the punishment for homosexuality and sodomy can be gauged by
the severity of the punishment. It must be stated at this juncture that it is also
Haraam to sodomise one's own wife. Rasulullaah p stated that the man who
engages in anal sex is cursed.109 Another narration states that Allaah will not even
look at such a person with mercy.110 Rasulullaah p also said, "The person who
engages in intercourse with a menstruation woman, the one who engages in
anal sex and the one who consults and believes a fortune teller has rejected all
that has been revealed to Muhammad &."
A Pure life and Response to an Objection
When the angels came to Hadhrat Loot v, he became worried and said, "This is a
day of misfortune". This was because he anticipated (rightly so) that his people
would swarm to his house to get hold of these handsome young men. When he
pleaded with the people not to embarrass him in front of his guests, he also said,
"O my people! These daughters of mine are purer for you". It is concerning this
109 Abu Dawood.
110
Ibn Maajah, Ahmad.
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statement that an objection arises. The objection is why did Hadhrat Loot v offer
his pure and chaste daughters to these vile men?
Such an objection stems from a lack of understanding of the Qur'aanic context.
Hadhrat Loot u did not offer his daughters to these men to fornicate with as it
appears. The complete verse states, "O my people! These daughters of mine are purer
for you (to marry and satisfy yourselves with), so fear Allaah and do not disgrace me in front of
my guests".111
It is wrong to place emphasis on the words, "These daughters of mine are purer for
you" because the emphasis in this statement is on the words "fear Allaah". What
Hadhrat Loot v was telling the people was that they ought to satisfy their
passion in the manner that Allaah has permitted for them. He was thereby
encouraging them to get married since there was no shortage of women
amongst them. Since Hadhrat Loot v only had two daughters, there was no way
that he could have been offering his own two daughters to so many men. It is
ludicrous and insulting to even think this.
Imaam Qurtubi il, writes that Hadhrat Loot v that to prevent further evil,
offered his two daughters in marriage to the two chiefs of the people. Marriage
of Muslim women to non-Muslim men was permitted in the Shari'ah of Hadhrat
Loot v, just as it was allowed during the early days of Islaam when Rasulullaah p
himself married his two daughters to Utba bin Abu Lahab and Abul Aas bin
Rabee.
111
Surah Hood, verse 78.
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Other Mufassireen have states that Hadhrat Loot v was referring to all the
women of the nation when he said "my daughters". This is because every Nabi v
is considered to be the father of his people. Allaah says about Rasulullaah p, "The
Nabi p has a greater relationship (of love) with the Mu'mineen than even their own selves
(let alone their own fathers), and his wives are their mothers".112 In his commentary of this
verse, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t states that Rasulullaah p is a father to
the Mu'mineen. Imaam Mujaahid ail dan, said, "Every Nabi v is a father to his
nation." Hadhrat Ummu Salamah we ala, who was the wife of Rasulullaah p
stated, "I am the mother of all your men and women."113
Two Important Factors
Describing Sodom before the punishment arrived, verses 35/6 of Surah
Dhaariyaat state, "We shall remove those who are Mu'mineen from the town (by
informing them when to leave the town). (From the entire town) We found only a single home of
Muslims there (who were the household of Loot v)".
The First Factor: It has always been the system of Allaah never to destroy an
entire nation as long as there were some good people amongst them. However,
when the number of such good people was as little as salt in dough, Allaah did as
flower sellers do when only a few good flowers remain in a basket. They remove
the good ones and then throw the rest away.
The Second Factor: It is not only the people belonging to the Ummah of
Rasulullaah p who were referred to as Muslims. All the people who believed in
and followed the Ambiyaa >ull posle Of the past were also referred to as Muslims and
their religion was also known as Islaam. The above verse makes synonymous use
of the words Mu'mineen and Muslims. Although both words may have different
112 Surah Ahzaab, verse 6.
113
Ruhul Maʼaani.
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literal meanings, the Qur'aan sometimes refers to people believing in the true
Deen revealed by Allaah as both Mu'mineen and Muslimeen (Muslims). Here are
few verses that denote this synonymous meaning:
. "Whoever seeks a Deen besides Islaam (which is easy, complete, perfect, natural), it shall
never be accepted from him and he will be among the losers in the Aakhirah114"
. "Definitely the only Deen (religion) with Allaah (acceptable by Allaah) is Islaam115"
· " ... and (Allaah has) chosen Islaam as your Deen1
”
. "If they accept Islaam then surely they are rightly guided117"
. "O you who have Imaan! Fear Allaah as He should be feared (by obeying all His
commands) and do not die except as Muslims118"
. "It was He (Allaah) who named you Muslims from before (in the previous scriptures) and
in this Qur'aan11911
"Ibraheem v was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was Hanif (one inclined towards
the truth and averse to all false creeds) and a Muslim (subservient to Allaah). He was never
from the Mushrikeen 120/7
These and many other verses suggest that the word Islaam and Imaan are
synonyms. This means that Islaam refers to practically fulfilling the apparent
injunctions of Deen as well as believing with the heart in all the beliefs of Islaam.
In other words, the word Islaam in these and other verses refers to the literal
meaning of Islaam coupled with the literal meaning of Imaan. It cannot be said
114 Surah Aal Imraan, verse 85
115
Surah Aal Imraan, verse 19
116
Surah Maa'idah, verse 3
117
Surah Aal Imraan, verse 20
118
Surah Aal Imraan, verse 102
119
Surah Hajj, verse 7
120
Surah Aal Imraan, verse 67
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that Islaam in these verses refers only to the outward and physical
implementation of the Deen without the inner belief. If only the literal meaning
is assumed, it would mean (Allaah forbid!) that Allaah has chosen and accepts
only the physical without the inner belief. It would also mean (Allaah forbid!)
that beliefs are not needed to attain salvation. It would also mean (Allaah
forbid!) that Hadhrat Ibraheem v only displayed Islaam without truly believing.
Of course, there are occasions when only the literal meanings are assumed, but
one needs to understand these in the proper context. What needs to be born in
mind is that in most references of the Qur'aan, a Mu'min will also be a Muslim
and a Muslim will also be a Mu'min.
A lesson from Allaah
With reference to the overturned cities of Sodom, the Qur'aan states, "In this
incident We have left a lesson for those who fear a painful punishment".121 This lesson
refers to what is now the Dead Sea. There is now a peninsula to the south of the
Dead Sea known as the Lisan Peninsula, which separates the southern basin of
the Dead Sea from the northern basin. This peninsula developed later because
the southern basin was shallower.
In 1965, an American team of archaeologists discovered a large cemetery on the
peninsula, which contained as many as twenty thousand graves. This has led
them to believe that there was a very large settlement of people very close by.
However, there is no evidence of such a large settlement nearby, unless it is
assumed that the settlement lay beneath the Dead Sea. Archaeologists believe
that some disaster like an earthquake must have occurred in the region some
2000 years before Hadhrat Isa v, which caused the land to sink and thereafter be
121
Surah Dhaariyaat, verse 37.
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submerged in water. This was approximately the period during which Hadhrat
Ibraheem v and Hadhrat Loot v lived. Furthermore, the geological landscape of
the area reveals so much of sulphur, coal, natural gas and other such
phenomena that one will be convinced of the fact that there must have raged a
smouldering inferno at some stage, caused probably by lava or something like
lightning bolts.
The lessons of the Qur'an in the Narrative of Hadhrat Loot V
After narrating the incident of the destruction of the people of Sodom, the
Qur'aan states, "These (destroyed cities) are not far from the oppressors".122 This verse
tells that even today if people decide to tread the immoral path of these people,
they must remember that the punishment of Allaah is not far off and can still be
directed towards them. Rasulullaah p said that there will be people from his
Ummah who will engage in the despicable acts of the people of Sodom. He then
warned that they will also meet the same fate as the people of Sodom. May
Allaah save us all from this.
Some Sterling Character Traits
When the angels met Hadhrat Ibraheem v en route to Hadhrat Loot v, he
immediately greeted them, slaughtered a calf, roasted the meat and served it to
them. From this incident, Allaama Ibn Katheer alda, has noted the following points
of sterling conduct:
1. Guests should not be asked whether they want to eat anything, but the best
of food should be prepared and then served to them
2. The guests should not be given the added inconvenience of going to the
food, but the food should be brought to them
122
Surah Hood, verse 83.
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3. The guests should not be forced to eat if they do not want to, but they may
be politely asked to eat to make the host happy
These are some of the excellent traits of a host learnt from Hadhrat Ibraheem v .
Rasulullaah p said, "The person who believes in Allaah and the Last Day must
entertain his guest."
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Sayyiduna Ya gode U
Introduction
Hadhrat Ya'qoob v was the son of Hadhrat Is'haaq v and therefore the grandson
of Hadhrat Ibraheem v. He was the beloved of his mother Rufqah til, and also
had a brother named Eesu. Narrations in the Torah reveal that Hadhrat Ya'qoob
u did not have a good relationship with his brother and it was to escape this that
his mother suggested to her brother Laabaan to keep Hadhrat Ya'qoob v with
him for ten years as a shepherd to his flocks with the agreement that Hadhrat
Ya'qoob v could then wed Laabaan's elder daughter Liya.
Hadhrat Ya'qoob v agreed to this and thus served Laabaan for ten years. When
the time came for marriage, Hadhrat Ya'qoob v's preferred that he marry the
younger daughter Raaheel. However, Laabaan informed them that the custom of
their area dictated that the younger daughter cannot be married before the
elder daughter. He therefore suggested that Hadhrat Ya'qoob v serve for an
additional ten years to be able to marry the younger daughter as well (it was
permissible in their Shari'ah to marry two sisters at the same time).
Hadhrat Ya'qoob v therefore completed the second period of ten years and
eventually married both sisters. Since Liya had a slave girl named Zulfa and
Raaheel had a slave girl called Balha, both these slave girls also entered into the
marriage of Hadhrat Ya'qoob v. Hadhrat Ya'qoob v had children from all these
wives and all the children with the exception of Bin Yaameen were born while he
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was living with his uncle. Bin Yaameen was born only after Hadhrat Ya'qoob v
left.
When Hadhrat Ya'qoob v left his uncle after twenty years, his uncle sent him off
with plenty of goods and wealth. Hadhrat Ya'qoob v then headed for the land of
Palestine, where his grandfather Hadhrat Ibraheem v was sent to propagate the
message of Allaah. While Hadhrat Ya'qoob v was with his uncle, his brother Eesu
went to live with his uncle Hadhrat Ismaa'eel v and married his daughter. He
then settled in a place that was close to where Hadhrat Ya'qoob v settled. The
two brothers then grew closer and it is reported that they often sent gifts to
each other.
All these narrations have been sourced from the Jews and Christians. The
Qur'aan and Ahadeeth do not provide much detail about Hadhrat Ya'qoob v,
except that he was a chosen Nabi of Allaah and that he was the father of
Hadhrat Yusuf v, whose story is narrated in detail in the Qur'aan. Many details
about him are narrated in the story of Hadhrat Yusuf v.
Hadhrat Ya good U in the Qur'aan
Although many references are made to Hadhrat Ya'qoob v in several places in
Surah Yusuf, his name is expressly mentioned in the following Surahs:
1. Surah Baqarah, verses 132, 133, 136, 140
2. Surah An'aam, verse 84
3. Surah Maryam, verse 6
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Surah Ambiyaa pull , verse 72
4. Surah Nisaa, verse 163
5. Surah Yusuf, verse 6, 38
6. Surah Saad, verse 45
The Hebrew name of Hadhrat Ya'qoob v is Israa'eel, which is mentioned
several times in the Qur'aan. The word Israa means servant and the word Eel
means Allaah. Therefore, the name Israa'eel means 'the servant of Allaah', just
like Abdullaah.
The Qur'aan refers to the Ahlul Kitaab (Jews and Christians) as the Bani Israa'eel,
meaning 'the children of Israa'eel', viz. the children of Hadhrat Ya'qoob v.
Hadhrat Ya'qoob v was the most well-known son of Hadhrat Is'haaq v and it was
from the progeny of Hadhrat Ya'qoob v that thousands of Ambiya pul we were
born. They are all referred to as the Ambiyaa Jul Ace Of the Bani Israa'eel.
The Children of Hadhrat Ya good
As stated earlier, all the children of Hadhrat Ya'qoob v were born while he was
living with his uncle, with the exception of the youngest, Bin Yaameen (the real
brother of Hadhrat Yusuf v), who was born after Hadhrat Ya'qoob v left and
settled in Can'aan in Palestine. His children were:
From his wife Liya the daughter of Laabaan, he fathered:
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