Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 66

Word Meanings:

• Qadaynā (وَقَضَيْنَا): We decreed, ordained, and made known with certainty.
• Dhālika al-Amr (ذَٰلِكَ الْأَمْر): That matter/command — referring to the decree of destruction.
• Dābir (دَابِر): The last remnant, the very end, the rearmost part — meaning every single one of them.
• Maqtū‘ (مَقْطُوع): Cut off, utterly destroyed, completely eradicated.
• Mus'bihīn (مُصْبِحِينَ): Entering the morning, i.e., at daybreak/dawn.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this verse, Allah informs us of the decree He conveyed to His Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) through divine revelation. The meaning is that Allah made known to Lot, with absolute clarity and certainty, the fate that awaited his wicked people. The decree was that the very last trace of those sinful people — every single one of them, from the first to the last — would be completely cut off and utterly destroyed when they entered the morning.

This was not merely a threat or a possibility; it was a settled, irrevocable decree from Allah, the All-Wise, the All-Just. The destruction would be total and comprehensive, leaving no remnant behind. The timing was specified: at the break of dawn, when the light of morning would witness their annihilation. This was the culmination of their persistent rejection of the truth, their arrogance, and their shameless immoral acts that had crossed all bounds.

The wisdom behind informing Lot beforehand was to comfort his heart, to strengthen his patience, and to prepare him and his family for departure before the punishment struck. It also served as a sign that Allah never destroys a people without first sending His messengers and establishing the proof against them.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse carries a profound lesson for every believer. It reminds us that Allah's decree is precise and His timing is perfect. The people of Lot were given ample time, multiple warnings, and clear signs — yet they persisted in their defiance until the very last moment. When the decree came, it was swift, decisive, and left nothing behind.

For us today, this is a call to never take Allah's blessings and respite for granted. Every morning we wake up is a new opportunity to turn back to Allah, to correct our ways, and to live in obedience to Him. The story of Lot's people is not just history — it is a timeless reminder that Allah's justice will always prevail, and that no one can escape His decree.

At the same time, it fills the believer's heart with hope and gratitude. Just as Allah saved Lot and his family because of their faith and patience, He will always protect and guide those who sincerely submit to Him. So let us be among those who heed the warnings, who hold fast to righteousness, and who trust in Allah's wisdom in all matters — for His decree is always just, and His mercy is always near for those who seek it.