Surah Hud — Verse 79

Word Meanings:

• "Min haqq" (مِنْ حَقٍّ): Here it means "need" or "desire," not "right" in the legal sense. It refers to any inclination or want.
• "Ma nurid" (مَا نُرِيدُ): "What we want" — referring explicitly to their sinful desire for men instead of women.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, the people of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) respond to his sincere advice and his offer of his daughters in marriage — a lawful and pure alternative — with arrogance and stubbornness. They say: "O Lut, you have always known that we have no need or desire for your daughters, nor for any women at all. And you certainly know what we truly want." By this, they meant their perverse and unnatural desire for men, which they openly admitted without any shame or hesitation.

This response reveals the depth of their moral corruption. They did not merely commit sin in secret; rather, they declared it publicly and rejected the path of purity and righteousness that Lut presented to them. Their words show that they had reached a level of defiance where they no longer even tried to hide their wickedness — they boasted about it.

The verse also highlights the patience and compassion of Prophet Lut, who, despite their hostility, continued to guide his people toward what was lawful and good. He offered them his daughters in marriage, which was a noble and honorable proposal, but they refused with contempt.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This story carries a profound lesson for humanity in every age. It teaches us that sin, when embraced openly and without repentance, hardens the heart and blinds the intellect. The people of Lut were not ignorant — they knew right from wrong, but they chose to follow their desires over their conscience.

As believers, we are reminded of the importance of guarding our natural disposition (fitrah) and protecting our societies from moral decay. We should never become so accustomed to sin that we lose the ability to feel shame or guilt. The Quran presents this narrative not merely as history, but as a timeless warning: those who persist in transgression and mock the messengers of Allah will inevitably face the consequences of their actions.

Let us take heed and strive to be among those who respond to guidance with humility and obedience, for the door of repentance remains open until the moment the punishment arrives. May Allah protect us all from the paths that lead to His displeasure, and may He grant us the strength to uphold righteousness in our words and deeds.