A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

Introduction In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful. To Allah belongs all praise. I firmly believe that Allah enabled me to undertake this project, without His help I could never have done this. May Allah accept this from me and may the readers benefit, ameen. Recently some friends and I were talking about the prophet Lot (peace be upon him). Since childhood we were taught that the wife of Lot was punished because she looked behind as her as her family fled from a sinful nation upon which Allah was to send punishment, but I wondered if we were just blindly following this version. During our conversation I wondered how many other Muslims and even Non-Muslims believed this account of Lots wife. After doing some desk based research I realised that the popular beliefs are based on the Judeo-Christian version of the story of Lot (peace be upon him), and that the Islamic version differs quite considerably with some basic information being similar between all three. This article is not an extensive treatise. My aim is to focus on the wife of Lot (peace be upon him). I intend on clarifying these issues in this article. In this article I have three simple objectives: 1- To understand where the belief of the wife turning around etc came from and why she was punished (pages 2-3). 2- To understand if the above beliefs are in conformity with the Islamic account (pages 3-6). 3- To reach an accurate conclusion as to what exactly happened to the wife and why (pages 6-7). For the source of all Quranic citations see Bibliography.

Amber Imran 30.12.13

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

Judeo-Christian Beliefs The belief that the wife of Lot turned around and was turned to stone comes from Jewish and Christian beliefs. According to Jewish beliefs, the wife of Lot (peace be upon him) was no different to the people of Sodom. The Sodomites and the wife of Lot (peace be upon him) were uninviting people and so when the wife found out about Lots guests [who were angels in the form of men], she wanted them gone. To achieve this she let the sinful sodomites know (Chein, 2013). Jewish tradition relates that whilst she didnt suffer the full upheaval of Sodom, she was still punished by being made into a salt stone (Kadari, 2009). Kadari (2009) asserts a few possibilities behind why the wife may have turned into a salt stack. One is that when the guests [angels] came to visit Lot (peace be upon him), she was unhappy at Lots (peace be upon him) hospitality and so slipped out of her home and went to her neighbours, asking for salt as pretence for creating uproar. Thus she was punished by salt as well (Kadari, 2009; Chein, 2013). The other explanation given is that she looked back as she pitied two of her four daughters left behind in Sodom (Kadari, 2009; Jewish Encyclopaedia, 2013). Christian beliefs are very similar to the Jewish ones on this topic. In Genesis (New International Version, Gen. 19:26) it says quite explicitly how the wife looked behind and turned into a pillar of salt. This was a punishment for her disobedience of the angels who said not to look back. It was also a punishment because her heart missed the life of Sodom (Zondervan, 1988; Bibleinfo, 2013). As we see Judo-Christianity spread this belief that the wife of Lot turned around and was turned into a salt stone. To believe in this account of Lots wife would also bring in the possibility of believing what is related later on in the same book of Genesis. According to Genesis (New International Version, Gen. 19:30-38) after reaching safety, the two daughters of Lot became worried about how their bloodline would continue. Subsequently, the daughters gave their father wine to drink so that they could become pregnant and that way their blood line would be preserved. Firstly, there is no such account in Islam. Lot (peace be upon him) was a messenger of Allah [26:162], and in Islam prophets and messengers are viewed as rightful people, sent to various communities for their social, moral and religious rectitude, so any implication of a drunken messenger cannot be accepted by any sane Muslim. In fact this only validates the Islamic perspective that the Gospel and Torah which we have with us today have

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

been distorted [5:13-15; 3:78]. As Muslims we believe that the Quran is the final testament [3:85] and that it clarifies and completes the scriptures which came before it which include the Torah and Gospel. Further it is narrated by 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah that 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas said, "O the group of Muslims! How can you ask the people of the Scriptures about anything while your Book which Allah has revealed to your Prophet contains the most recent news from Allah and is pure and not distorted? Allah has told you that the people of the Scriptures have changed some of Allah's Books and distorted it and wrote something with their own hands and said, 'This is from Allah, so as to have a minor gain for it. Won't the knowledge that has come to you stop you from asking them? No, by Allah, we have never seen a man from them asking you about that (the Book Al-Quran) which has been revealed to you (Sahih Bukhari, 2013) Therefore we need to look at what Allah reveals in the Quran to understand this topic accurately. Islamic Beliefs Allah says in Surah Al-Ankaboot And (remember) Lut (Lot), when he said to his people: "You commit Al-Fhishah (sodomy the worst sin) which none has preceded you in (committing) it in the 'Alamn (mankind and jinn)." (28) "Verily, you practise sodomy with men, and rob the wayfarer (travellers)! And practise Al-Munkar (disbelief and polytheism and every kind of evil wicked deed) in your meetings." But his people gave no answer except, that they said: "Bring Allh's Torment upon us if you are one of the truthful." (29) He said: "My Lord! Give me victory over the people who are Mufsidn (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters). (30) And when Our Messengers came to Ibrhim (Abraham) with the glad tidings they said: "Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this [Lut's (Lot's)] town (i.e. the town of Sodom in Palestine); truly, its people have been Zlimn [wrong-doers, polytheists, disobedient to Allh, and who belied their Messenger Lut (Lot)]." (31) Ibrhim

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

(Abraham) said: "But there is Lut (Lot) in it." They said:"We know better who is there, we will verily save him [Lut (Lot)] and his family, except his wife, she will be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed along with those who will be destroyed from her folk)." (32) And when Our Messengers came to Lut (Lot), he was grieved because of them, and felt straitened on their account. They said: "Have no fear, and do not grieve! Truly, we shall save you and your family, except your wife, she will be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed along with those who will be destroyed from her folk). (33) Verily, we are about to bring down on the people of this town a great torment from the sky, because they have been rebellious (against Allh's Command)." (34) And indeed We have left thereof an evident Ayh (a lesson and a warning and a sign the place where the Dead Sea is now in Palestine)[] for a folk who understand. (Surah Al-Ankaboot, 29:35) From the above verses we learn that the people of Lot (peace be upon him) were warned but they mocked the prophet. We also learn that the wife of Lot didn't leave with him and his daughters as is the Judaeo-Christian belief; rather she remained behind with the rest of the people of Sodom. Prophet Lot and his family (except his wife) were told to leave the area at night and were also told not to look back. More detail of this incident is related below ..."And we have brought to you the truth (the news of the destruction of your nation) and certainly, we tell the truth. (64) "Then travel in a part of the night with your family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look back, but go on to where you are ordered." (65) And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the early morning. (66) And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing (at the news of the young men's arrival) (67) [Lut (Lot)] said: "Verily! these are my guests, so shame me not. (68) "And fear Allh and disgrace me not." (69)They (people of the city) said: "Did we not forbid you to entertaining (or protecting) any of the 'Alamn (people, foreigners, strangers from us)?" (70) [Lut (Lot)] said: "These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so)." (71)Verily, by your life (O Muhammad SAW), in their wild

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

intoxication, they were wandering blindly. (72) So As-Sahah (torment - awful cry) overtook them at the time of sunrise; (73) And We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of baked clay. (74) Surely! In this are signs, for those who see (or understand or learn the lessons from the Signs of Allh). (75) And verily! They (the cities) were right on the highroad (from Makkah to Syria i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now)[] (76) Surely! Therein is indeed a sign for the believers. (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:77) From the above verses we learn like the Judeo-Christian belief, Lot (peace be upon him) was told to leave with his family at night. Ibn Kathir explains this as meaning when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them (Ibn Kathir, 2006a). We are then told that the punishment to be given was 1) An awful cry; 2) The upheaval of Sodom and 3) The raining down of baked clay stones. We need to read this with the following verse to comprehend what exactly the punishment of the wife was So travel with your family in a part of the night, and let not any of you look back, but your wife (will remain behind), verily, the punishment which will afflict them, will afflict her. Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near?" (Surah Hud, 11:81) If in 15:77 were told that the punishment upon the Sodomites was 1) An awful cry; 2) The upheaval of Sodom and 3) The raining down of baked clay stones, and the turning into salt stone is nowhere to be seen, and then in 11:81 Allah explicitly relates to us that the wife of Lot will suffer the same punishment as the rest of the people, then from this we can conclude that the wife of Lot remained behind in the city and was punished as the rest of the people and she did not become stone. This is what the evidence leads to and Allah knows best. The next question which arises is why was she punished?

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

Why Was She Punished? In the Quran we read Allh sets forth an example for those who disbelieve, the wife of Nh (Noah) and the wife of Lut (Lot). They were under two of our righteous slaves, but they both betrayed them (their husbands by rejecting their message) So they [Nh (Noah) and Lut (Lot) A.S.] availed them (their respective wives) not, against Allh, and it was said: "Enter the Fire along with those who enter!" (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:10) In Tafsir Ibn Kathir,we read an interpretation of this verse: Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas, "They betrayed them by not following their religion. The wife of Prophet Nuh used to expose his secrets, informing his oppressive people whenever any person embraced the faith with Nuh. As for the wife of Prophet Lut, she used to inform the people of the city (Sodom), who committed the awful sexual act (sodomy), whenever a guest was entertained by her husband.'' (Ibn Kathir, 2006b), The wife of Lot was a disbeliever. Not only did she disbelieve in Lots message of submission to the Lord, but helped the evil doers in their sin. The above Quranic verses also contain a lesson for us. Allah is telling the disbelievers that their relationship with believers, even if they are prophets (like Noah and Lot, peace be upon them both), will not benefit them on the Day of Judgment. It will be said to those who reject the message of monotheism "Enter the Fire along with those who enter!" (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:10).

Conclusion Ultimately the belief that the wife of Lot left the city at night with her husband and daughters, and then she looked behind and was punished by being turned into a salt stone is based on the Judeo-Christian texts. Whilst we share some similarities with our predecessors on the story of Lot (peace be upon him), we

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

reject what is contradictory to the Islamic account as it is an integral part of our belief that the Quran is the last and unchanged word of Allah. With regards to the prophet Lot (peace be upon him), then we're told in various Quranic chapters about his story [29:28-35...15:58-77... 66:10... 26:161-174...51:37...11:76-82...37:133-136...54:33-39]. I've only expanded on the main ones in this article relevant to his wife. The evidence consistently implies that she did not leave at night with Lot and their daughters, rather she ...remained behind [7:83; 37:135; 29:32; 15:60; 26:171] and suffered the same fate as the rest of the people of Sodom [11:82]. Only the prophet Lot and his daughters were saved. The reason for her destruction was that she didn't believe [66:10]. Further, the Quran and its interpretation by IbnAbbas as related in Ibn Kathir suggests that she betrayed her husband by telling the people about guests he had over for the people to then come and commit sin [54:37], like she did with the guests [who were angels in the form of men] in Surah Al-Hijr [15:67-77]. Thus she not only rejected his call, but helped the evil doers against him. And Allah knows best.

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

References
Zondervan (1988) Lots Wife. Bible Gateway [Internet] Available from:

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Lot-8217-s-Wife Bible Info (2012) What was Lot's wife's name? [Internet] Available from: http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/what-was-lots-wifes-name Chein (2013) Why Did Lot's Wife Turn into Salt? [Internet] Available from: http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1686007/jewish/Why-Did-LotsWife-Turn-into-Salt.htm#footnote11a1686007 New International Version Bible (2013) Genesis 19 [Internet] Available from: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+19&version=NIV Jewish Encyclopaedia (2013) LOT [Internet] Available from: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10122-lot Kadari, T. (2009) "Lot's Wife: Midrash and Aggadah." Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia. Jewish Womens Achive. [Internet] Available from: http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lots-wife-midrash-andaggadah. Quran. Interpretation of the Meanings of The Noble Quran. Al-Hilali and Muhsin Khan Translation: 16th Revised Edition. Riyadh: Darussalam. Sadia, H., Badshah, N., Khan, J., Begum, S. and Nasrulla (2011) Prophet Lot (L) In the Bible and the Holy Quran Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research In Business, 3(8), 1030-1040. [Internet] Available from: http://www.journal-archieves13.webs.com/1030-1040.pdf Sahih Bukhari (2013) Volume 9, Book 93, Number 614. [Internet] Available from: http://www.sahih-bukhari.com/Pages/Bukhari_9_93.php Sunnah Online (2013) Story of Lut (Lot) [Internet] Available from: http://sunnahonline.com/library/stories-of-the-prophets/297-story-ofprophet-lut

A Clarification on the Punishment of The Wife of Lot (peace be upon him)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2006) Tafsir Ibn Kathir [Internet] Available from: http://mquran.org/content/section/1/2/ Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2006a) Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night [Internet] Available from: http://mquran.org/content/view/7606/2/ Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2006b) The Disbeliever shall never benefit from His Believing Relative on the Day of Resurrection [Internet] Available from: http://mquran.org/content/view/8868/2/