Surah Hud — Verse 78

Word Meanings:

• يُهْرَعُونَ (yuhra‘ūn): They come rushing hastily and quickly, driven by urgency.
• السَّيِّئَاتِ (al-sayyi’āt): The evil deeds — here referring specifically to the abominable act of approaching men with lust instead of women.
• أَطْهَرُ (aṭhar): More pure, more lawful, and more fitting.
• تُخْزُونِ (tukhzūnī): You bring shame and disgrace upon me.
• رَشِيدٌ (rashīd): A man of sound judgment, wisdom, and righteousness who would forbid evil.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse captures one of the most intense and painful moments in the life of Prophet Lot (Lut), peace be upon him. His people — a community steeped in immorality and perversion — came rushing toward his house with evil intent. They had heard that he was hosting noble guests (who were in fact angels sent by Allah in human form), and their corrupt hearts burned with desire to harm them. This was not a new behavior for them; rather, it was their established habit and shameful practice — they had long been committing the abominable act of approaching men with lust instead of women, a crime that violated the natural order Allah had set for humanity.

Seeing the danger closing in on his guests, Prophet Lot stood as a shield of honor and hospitality. He addressed his people with gentleness and wisdom, saying: "O my people! These are my daughters — they are purer for you." By this, he meant the women of his community whom they could lawfully marry. He called them his daughters because a prophet is like a father to his nation, and he was offering them the lawful path of marriage instead of the unlawful path of perversion. He then urged them: "Fear Allah" — meaning, be conscious of your Creator and His punishment — "and do not disgrace me regarding my guests." For hospitality was a sacred duty, and any harm to his guests would bring lasting shame upon him and his household. Finally, he appealed to their reason: "Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" — a desperate call for someone, anyone, to step forward and stop this madness, to act as a voice of conscience and virtue.

This verse teaches us profound lessons. It shows the immense moral courage of a prophet who stood alone against a corrupt society, defending honor and purity. It also reveals the importance of hospitality in Islam — how protecting one's guests is a sacred trust. And it reminds us that when evil becomes widespread and normalized, even the most righteous voices may find few listeners, yet they must still speak the truth and call to goodness. The verse is a timeless warning against following one's base desires and abandoning the natural, pure path that Allah has ordained for humanity.