“133–138 And Lot was indeed one of the messengers. We saved him and his entire family, except an old woman who remained behind. Then We destroyed the others. Indeed, you pass by their ruins in the morning and at night. Will you not then understand?”

This is praise from Allah Most High for His servant and messenger Lot: for bestowing prophethood and messengership upon him, for his calling his people to Allah, and for his forbidding them to commit polytheism and indecency.

When they refused to desist, Allah saved him and his entire family. They departed by night and escaped.

“Except an old woman who remained behind”—meaning among those who remained to be punished. She was Lot’s wife and did not follow his religion.

“Then We destroyed the others” by turning their dwellings upside down upon them: “We turned them upside down and rained upon them stones of layered baked clay,” until they lay lifeless and utterly extinguished.

“Indeed, you pass by their ruins”—meaning the dwellings of Lot’s people—“in the morning and at night.” That is, you frequently visit and pass by them at these times, leaving no room for doubt or uncertainty. “Will you not then understand” the signs and lessons, and refrain from what brings destruction?