Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 60

Word Meanings:

• امْرَأَتَهُ (His wife): The wife of Prophet Lut (Lot), peace be upon him, who was disbelieving and disloyal.
• قَدَّرْنَا (We decreed/ordained): We predetermined and passed a firm judgment.
• الْغَابِرِينَ (Those who remain behind): Those who stay back and are overtaken by destruction.

Tafsir (Explanation):

The angels, who came to Prophet Lut in human form, delivered a clear message: Allah had sent them to destroy the wicked, disbelieving people of Sodom—a society steeped in corruption, immorality, and defiance of their prophet. Their mission was to save Lut and his believing household entirely, sparing them from the calamity that would strike the guilty. However, there was one exception: Lut's wife. She was not a believer at heart; she had sided with the wrongdoers, betraying her husband's mission and secretly supporting the corrupt ways of her people. Therefore, Allah decreed that she would be among those who remain behind—those destined to perish in the very punishment that engulfed her people. Her fate was sealed by divine justice, for she chose disbelief over faith, and her alliance with evil could not be overlooked.

Reflection and Da'wah:

This verse carries a profound lesson for every soul: salvation is not inherited by blood or marriage, but earned through faith and righteous deeds. Lut's wife lived in the same house as a great prophet, yet she lost everything because her heart was disconnected from the truth. Proximity to righteousness does not save a person; what saves is sincere belief and action. On the other hand, Lut's family—despite living in a society drowning in sin—was rescued because they held firm to their faith. This is a call to each of us today: do not rely on the piety of others, whether parents, spouses, or scholars. Build your own relationship with Allah, for on the Day of Judgment, every soul stands alone before its Creator. Let this be a motivation to purify your heart, strengthen your faith, and distance yourself from any environment or companionship that pulls you toward disobedience. Allah's mercy is vast, but His justice is precise—so choose today to be among the saved, not the "ghabireen" (those left behind).