Surah An-Naml — Verse 57

Word Meanings:

• "Qaddarnāhā" (قَدَّرْنَاهَا): From *al-qadr* (decree/appointment), meaning We decreed and ordained for her to be among those who remain behind.
• "Al-Ghābirīn" (الْغَابِرِينَ): Those who stay behind, remain, and are left in the punishment — i.e., the ones who perish with the doomed people.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah Almighty tells us about the fate of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) and his family after the severe trial they faced. When the divine command came to destroy the wicked people of Sodom — a people who had committed an unprecedented sin, turning away from natural purity and transgressing all bounds — Allah saved Lot and his household from the terrible punishment that was about to descend upon the corrupt community. However, His saving grace excluded Lot's wife, for she was not truly of his household in faith and loyalty. She had betrayed her husband by siding with the evildoers, approving of their abominable deeds, and even informing them of the guests who came to Lot's home. Therefore, Allah decreed that she would be among those who remained behind — destined to stay in the place of punishment and be destroyed along with the wicked, as she was complicit in their corruption and shared their guilt.

This verse carries a profound lesson: salvation is not by lineage or association, but by faith and righteous conduct. A person may be physically close to a prophet, yet spiritually far from Allah's mercy if they reject the truth and support falsehood. Conversely, one may be distant from worldly status yet beloved to Allah through sincerity and obedience.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, ponder how Allah's justice is perfect and His mercy is precise. He saved the righteous and left the treacherous to their fate — not out of cruelty, but as a manifestation of His wisdom and fairness. This story invites you to examine your own heart: Are you truly with the people of truth in your actions, or merely in name? Allah knows the secrets of hearts and the reality of deeds. The door of repentance is open for every sinner until the moment of death — so do not delay your return to your Lord. Be among those who are saved by faith, not among those who are left behind by their own choices. Indeed, Allah's mercy encompasses all, but it is earned through sincere submission and righteous deeds. Let this verse inspire you to purify your intentions and align your life with the path of the prophets and the believers, so that you may be among the saved in this world and the Hereafter.