⦗28-35⦘ “And Lot, when he said to his people, ‘You are indeed committing an obscenity that no one in all the worlds ever committed before you. * Do you indeed approach men, waylay travelers, and commit evil in your gatherings?’ His people’s only response was to say, ‘Bring us Allah’s punishment, if you are truthful.’ * He said, ‘My Lord, help me against these corrupt people’”—to the end of the account.

It was previously mentioned that Lot—peace be upon him—believed Abraham and became one of those guided through him. They have stated that he was not one of Abraham’s descendants, but rather Abraham’s nephew.

Thus, although the words of Allah Most High, “And We placed prophethood and Scripture among his descendants,” are general, they do not conflict with Lot’s being a prophet and messenger despite not being one of Abraham’s descendants. This is because the verse occurs in the context of praising and commending Abraham, the intimate friend of Allah, and Allah has informed us that Lot was guided through him. As far as the guide’s own merit is concerned, a person guided directly through him is a greater distinction than one of his descendants who attained guidance. Allah knows best.

Allah therefore sent Lot to his people. In addition to their shirk, they combined the sexual obscenity of approaching males with waylaying travelers and the prevalence of evil deeds in their gatherings. Lot counseled them to abandon these things, explained how inherently vile they were, and warned them of the severe punishment to which they would lead. Yet they neither desisted nor took heed. “His people’s only response was to say, ‘Bring us Allah’s punishment, if you are truthful.’”

Their prophet then despaired of them and knew that they deserved punishment. Deeply distressed by the severity of their rejection, he prayed against them and “said, ‘My Lord, help me against these corrupt people.’” Allah answered his prayer and sent the angels to destroy them.