Prophet Lut (Lot, peace be upon him)

Lut (peace be upon him) was the nephew of Ibrahim and was among those who believed with him and migrated with him from Iraq. Allah then sent Lut as a prophet to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah — cities whose inhabitants had committed an act of indecency so grave and widespread that it was unprecedented in the history of humanity. The people of Sodom committed homosexual acts openly and without shame, and they had made this a defining characteristic of their society, such that when strangers came to Lut's city, the men would seek to violate them. This is described in the Quran (Surah Al-A'raf 7:80–81): "Indeed, you approach men with desire instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people." Lut called his people with patience and sincerity, warning them of the punishment of Allah. He reminded them that they were among the first people to commit such acts, and he called them to repentance. His people responded with mockery and threats, saying they would expel Lut and his family if he did not stop calling them to abandon what they practiced. Angels in the form of young men came to Lut as his guests, sent to deliver the punishment of Allah. When the men of the city came to Lut's home demanding his guests, Lut stood at the door trying to protect them, in anguish at what his people intended. The angels revealed their true identity and told him to take his family and leave before dawn, not looking back. Only Lut and his daughters were saved; his wife was among those who remained and was destroyed. Allah then overturned the cities, raining down upon them stones of layered clay (Surah Hud 11:82–83). The complete destruction of the civilization of the people of Lut is mentioned in the Quran in multiple surahs as a lesson and a warning for all who come after. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "What I fear most for my nation is the deed of the people of Lut" — emphasizing the gravity of this sin.