and matters connected with it in a condemnatory manner that offers lessons to be learned. He, Exalted is He, says:

“And Lot, when he said to his people, ‘Do you commit an immorality that no one in all the worlds has ever committed before you?’”

The account continues to its conclusion in several places in His Book. Here Lot—who was Allah’s messenger—addressed those who committed this immorality, rebuking them for it by saying:

“Do you commit immorality?”

This question expresses disapproval and prohibition: it denounces, censures, and forbids. It is like someone saying to another: “Do you do such-and-such? Do you not fear Allah?” Then he said:

“Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women?”

This is a second question, containing emphatic censure and rebuke. This does not constitute slanderous accusation or disparagement. Likewise, His saying:

“The people of Lot denied the messengers.”

The account continues to its conclusion. Lot confronted them with censure and rebuke for committing immorality. Those who committed it then threatened him and his followers with expulsion from the town. Such is the way of the wicked: whenever someone among them forbids their wrongdoing, they seek to banish and expel him.

Allah has punished those who commit the sexual immorality of Lot’s people with what they intended to inflict upon the God-fearing: He commanded the banishment of those who commit unlawful sexual intercourse and of effeminate men. Thus, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, established the banishment of both. And He, Glorified be He, removed the God-fearing from among them when the punishment descended.

Likewise, He, Exalted is He, related in the story of Joseph:

“The woman in whose house he was sought to seduce him,”

through to His saying:

“So He turned their scheming away from him. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

And in what He related thereafter are Joseph’s words, beginning with his saying: “What was the matter with