The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 168
CH. 11 HŪD PT. 12 قَدْ جَاءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ عَذَابٌ غَيْرُ مَرُ دُودٍ of thy Lord has gone forth, and surely, there is coming to them a punishment that cannot be averted. '1457 وَلَمَّا جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًا سِي بِهِمْ And when Our messengers. 78 وَضَاقَ بِهِمُ ذَرُعًا وَقَالَ هُذَا يَوْمٌ of them and felt عَصِيبٌ came to Lot, he was grieved on account helpless on their behalf and he said, 'This is a distressful day. '1458 وَجَاءَهُ قَوْمُهُ يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَمِنْ And his people came to him. 79 running towards him trembling قَبْلُ كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيَّاتِ قَالَ يُقَوْمِ 100 with rage; and before this هَؤُلَاء بَنَاتِي هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُخْزُونِ فِي ضَيْفِي أَلَيْسَ they used to do evils. He said, ‘O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allah and disgrace a29:34. 15:68. 7:81; 29:29. d15:72. 1457. Commentary: The tone of the Divine reply shows God's great regard for Abraham. Instead of directly rejecting his request, God lovingly asks him to let the matter go, for His decree has already come to pass and the punishment could not now be averted. 1458. Important Words: solo (felt helpless on their behalf) is a peculiar Arabic expression. The Arabs say which literally means, he stretched forth his arm to it but his arm did not reach it and he was unable to do or accomplish the thing or affair; or he lacked the strength or power to do the thing; or he found no way of escape from what was disagreeable in the 1376 affair (Lane). Commentary: Some commentators hold the view that Lot's trouble was due to the visitors having stayed with him against his will, refusing to leave his house. The truth, however, seems to be quite the reverse; for, as the Bible clearly states, when the strangers reached near Lot's residence, he himself invited them to it as his guests, but, probably fearing lest by their stay he might be inconvenienced, they asked to be excused. This naturally pained Lot (Gen. ch. 19).