Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 76)
Educational Lessons from the Story of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him)
The story of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) in the Noble Qur’an is full of profound educational and moral lessons for individuals and families. This story highlights various dimensions of human life, from faith and chastity to personal and social responsibility. Reflecting on and extracting lessons from this story can serve as an important guide for personal development and the reform of family relationships in society.
First Lesson: A Believer is Optimistic and Pure in Speech
It is obligatory upon believers to always maintain a good opinion about themselves and other believers, and never easily accept that they or other righteous believers could fall into major sins or destructive actions. If they hear something immoral or inappropriate about a believer (and more so about the Prophets, peace be upon them), their hearts should be disturbed by such statements, and they should refrain from repeating or spreading them, and even avoid uttering them altogether.
For this reason, the wives of the Prophets (peace be upon them) must be regarded as free from any form of immorality or indecency, even if they were disbelievers. As Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and many scholars of the early and later generations have stated: no wife of any Prophet ever committed immorality. Whoever claims otherwise has made a grave mistake.
Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him), in his commentary on the verse regarding the wives of Nuh and Lut (peace be upon them), explains that the betrayal mentioned in the verse “فَخَانَتَاهُمَا” refers not to immorality, but to betrayal in religion. He further narrates from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that their betrayal consisted of not following the religion of their husbands. He also mentions that the wife of Lut (peace be upon him) would inform the people whenever guests came to him.[1]
Imam Al-Alusi (may Allah have mercy on him) also stated that these two women were hypocrites, and emphasized that betrayal here does not mean immorality, as it has been reported from Ibn Abbas that no wife of any Prophet ever committed adultery.[2]
Similarly, in Tafsir al-Kashshaf it is stated that it is not permissible to interpret betrayal in this verse as immorality, because such an act is inherently disgraceful for all people, whereas disbelief is not seen as shameful by disbelievers, but rather something acceptable.[3]
Second Lesson: On the Day of Judgment, All Ties Will Be Cut Except the Bond of Faith
If a disbeliever has a familial or marital relationship with a righteous or believing person, such ties will not benefit them. As seen in the story of the wives of Nuh and Lut (peace be upon them), despite being married to great Prophets, this relationship did not benefit them.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also told his daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) and his aunt that such relations would not avail them before Allah. Thus, even the marital bond with Prophets did not benefit the wives of Nuh and Lut (peace be upon them), because they were disbelievers.[4]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “مَن بَطَّأَ بِهِ عَمَلُهُ لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ نَسَبُهُ”[5] Translation: Whoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage.
Allah Almighty also says: “يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ * إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ”[6] Translation: The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.
“كُلُّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ”[7] Translation: Every person is held in pledge for what he has earned.
“وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى”[8] Translation: No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.
These verses clearly establish the principle of individual responsibility in Islam. Every person is accountable for their own faith and actions. A disbeliever or sinner will be punished for their own disbelief and sins, and familial relationships cannot save them from Allah’s punishment.
All such ties will be severed on the Day of Judgment, and only faith and obedience to the Prophets will benefit a person. If lineage or marriage alone had any benefit, then the relationship between Nuh and Lut (peace be upon them) and their wives would have benefited them—but it did not. They were destroyed in this world and will be told in the Hereafter: “ادْخُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدَّاخِلِينَ”[9] Translation: Enter the Fire along with those who enter it.
Allah Almighty also says: “لَن تَنفَعَكُمْ أَرْحَامُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَكُمْ”[10] Translation: Your relatives and your children will not benefit you on the Day of Resurrection; He will judge between you.
“يَوْمَ لَا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِّنَفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَالْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلَّهِ”[11] Translation: The Day when no soul will have power for another, and the command that Day belongs entirely to Allah.
“وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَنْ نَفْسٍ شَيْئًا”[12] Translation: And fear a Day when no soul will avail another in the least.
“وَاخْشَوْا يَوْمًا لَّا يَجْزِي وَالِدٌ عَن وَلَدِهِ وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَن وَالِدِهِ شَيْئًا إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ”[13] Translation: And fear a Day when no father will avail his child, nor will a child avail his father at all. Indeed, the promise of Allah is true.
Continues…
Previous Part
References:
[1]. Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim, vol. 4, p. 392.
[2]. Al-Alusi, Ruh al-Ma‘ani, vol. 28, p. 162.
[3]. Al-Zamakhshari, Tafsir al-Kashshaf, p. 1123.
[4]. Al-Mustafad min Qasas al-Qur’an, vol. 1, p. 235.
[5]. Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 6793.
[6]. Ash-Shu‘ara: 88–89.
[7]. At-Tur: 21.
[8]. Al-Isra: 15.
[9]. At-Tahrim: 10.
[10]. Al-Mumtahanah: 3.
[11]. Al-Infitar: 19.
[12]. Al-Baqarah: 48.
[13]. Luqman: 33.
