Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 75)
The Position of the Wife of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) Toward His Call
The wife of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) remained upon the religion and customs of her people and tribe also she used to act as an informant for her people regarding the guests who came to Lut (peace be upon him). Whenever a guest came to his house, she would inform her people of their presence.[1] For this reason, Allah (SWT) counted her among the disbelievers, as He says: «ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا امْرَأَتَ نُوحٍ وَامْرَأَتَ لُوطٍ كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَالِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتَاهُمَا فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَقِيلَ ادْخُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدَّاخِلِينَ»[2] Translation: Allah presents an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut. They were under two righteous servants of Ours, but they betrayed them. So those prophets did not avail them against Allah at all, and it was said: Enter the Fire along with those who enter.
This means that Allah (SWT) has given an example of two disbelieving women: the wife of Nuh (peace be upon him) and the wife of Lut (peace be upon him). These two women are mentioned specifically along with their husbands to clarify that despite being married to two prophets, they were expected to believe in Allah due to such a noble position. However, they acted contrary to this expectation and disbelieved in Allah. Therefore, they deserved divine punishment and entered the Fire along with the other inhabitants.
An important point to note is that being the wife of a prophet brought them no benefit and did not prevent their punishment. Rather, such closeness to a prophet may even result in a more severe and intensified punishment.[3] As Allah (SWT) says regarding the wives of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): «يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ مَن يَأْتِ مِنكُنَّ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ يُضَاعَفْ لَهَا الْعَذَابُ ضِعْفَيْنِ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا» [4] Translation: O wives of the Prophet! Whoever among you commits a clear immorality, the punishment will be doubled for her, and that is easy for Allah (SWT).
The Betrayal of the Wife of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him)
Allah the Almighty says regarding the betrayal of the wife of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him): «فَخَانَتَاهُمَا» Translation: So, they both betrayed them.
The intended meaning of this betrayal is betrayal in religion and belief, meaning that these two women did not follow their husbands in faith. The wife of Nuh (peace be upon him) rejected his call and even told her people that he was insane. This was previously mentioned when discussing the family of Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him).
As for the wife of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him), not only did she fail to believe in his call, but she would also inform her people whenever guests came to him.
Those who claim any form of betrayal other than this have made a serious mistake. The Qur’an strongly condemns false accusations, as seen in the incident of Ifk (false accusation) against Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). Allah says: «لَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ ظَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ خَيْرًا وَقَالُوا هَذَا إِفْكٌ مُّبِينٌ» [5] Translation: Why, when you heard it, did the believing men and believing women not think good of themselves and say: This is an obvious false accusation?
And He also says: «إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ * وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُم مَّا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَن نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ * يَعِظُكُمُ اللَّهُ أَن تَعُودُوا لِمِثْلِهِ أَبَدًا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ»[6] Translation: When you were receiving it with your tongues and saying with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge, and you thought it insignificant while it was great in the sight of Allah. And why, when you heard it, did you not say: It is not for us to speak of this. Glory be to You! This is a great slander. Allah admonishes you never to return to the like of it if you are believers.
And He also says: « الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ [7]» Translation: Impure women are for impure men, and impure men are for impure women.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Ibn Kathir, Qisas al-Anbiya, p. 254.
[2]. At-Tahrim: 10.
[3]. Al-Jamal, Ahmad Abdul Ghani, Al-Amthal fi al-Qur’an al-Karim, p. 125.
[4]. Al-Ahzab: 30.
[5]. An-Nur: 12.
[6]. An-Nur: 15–17.
[7]. An-Nur: 26.
