His Relationship to Ibrahim
Lut traveled with Ibrahim from Mesopotamia to the Levant. When Ibrahim and Lut parted ways, Lut settled in the Jordan Valley region (traditionally identified with the Dead Sea area). Both were prophets; both were called to different peoples. Their relationship is mentioned together in the Quran: “And We saved him [Lut] and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds.” (21:71)
The Angels’ Visit (11:77-83, 15:51-77, 29:31-35)
Three extended Quranic accounts describe the same event: divine messengers arrived at Lut’s home in the form of beautiful young men. When the townspeople learned of the guests’ presence, they rushed to Lut’s door. Lut tried to protect his guests:
“He said, ‘These are my guests, so do not shame me. And fear Allah and do not disgrace me.’” (15:68-69)
The townspeople’s response: “Have we not forbidden you from [protecting] people?” (15:70) — they had previously told him to stop sheltering anyone they wanted access to.
The angels then revealed themselves: “O Lut, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you.” (11:81) They told Lut to take his family and leave before dawn — not to look back. His wife was excluded from those saved: “Indeed, your wife — it will strike her of what strikes them.” (11:81)
The Destruction
The punishment: “And We rained upon them a rain [of stones]. Then see how was the end of the criminals.” (7:84) The surah al-Hijr describes the overturning: “We turned [the cities] upside down and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay.” (15:74)
The al-mu’tafikat (overturned cities) became a Quranic symbol for the consequences of collective moral transgression — and Lut’s perseverance as a prophet among a hostile people became a model of prophetic patience.
See also: Prophets In Islam, Seerah Ibrahim Khalil, Signs Of Qiyamah, Quran Sciences, Tafsir Overview, Tawbat Nasuha