Surah Al-Hijr — Verse 67

Word Meanings:

• Ahl al-Madinah (أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ): The people of the city of Sodom (Sadum), where Prophet Lut (Lot) peace be upon him was sent as a messenger.
• Yastabshirun (يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ): Rejoicing, being delighted, and showing gladness — here it refers to their wicked excitement upon hearing about the arrival of handsome young guests.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse depicts a critical moment in the story of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him). When the angels came to him in the form of handsome young men as guests, the news spread quickly through the city. The wicked people of Sodom, who were deeply immersed in the abominable sin of homosexuality, rushed to Lut’s house — not out of hospitality or good intent, but with hearts full of evil desire. They came rejoicing and exulting, thrilled at the prospect of approaching these guests and committing their filthy, unnatural acts with them.

Their joy was not the joy of goodness, but the joy of sin. They had reached such a level of moral corruption that they openly celebrated their wickedness, without any shame or fear of Allah. This shows how far a society can fall when it abandons the natural order set by Allah and follows its base desires.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, look at how sin can blind a people until they rejoice in what brings destruction upon them. These people were celebrating at the very moment of their doom — they did not know that the angels they were lusting after were sent to destroy their entire city. How often do we see people today rejoicing in sins, unaware that they are walking toward ruin?

This story teaches us a profound lesson: true happiness is found in obedience to Allah, not in following desires. The believer who fears Allah and controls his desires is the one who will taste real joy — in this life and in the Hereafter. Let this verse be a reminder to guard our hearts against the love of sin, and to seek the pleasure of Allah in all that we do. For the end of the wicked is always destruction, while the end of the righteous is mercy and Paradise.