The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

11: 81
Hud 141
life a for another three days: 66 this warning will not prove false.’ And
so, when Our command was fulfilled, by Our mercy We saved Salih
and his fellow believers from the disgrace of that day. [Prophet], it is
your Lord who is the Strong, the Mighty One. 67 The blast struck the
evildoers and they lay dead in their homes, 68 as though they had
never lived and flourished there. Yes, the Thamud denied their
Lord – so away with the Thamud!
69 To Abraham Our messengers brought good news. They said,
‘Peace.’ He answered, ‘Peace,’ and without delay he brought in a
roasted calf. 70 When he saw that their hands did not reach towards
the meal, he found this strange and became afraid of them. But they
said, ‘Do not be afraid. We have been sent against the people of Lot.’
71 His wife was standing [nearby] and laughed. We gave her good
news of Isaac and, after him, of Jacob. 72 She said, ‘Alas for me! How
am I to bear a child when I am an old woman, and my husband here
is an old man? That would be a strange thing!’ 73 They said, ‘Are you
astonished at what God ordains? The grace of God and His blessings
be upon you, people of this house! For He is worthy of all praise and
glory.’ 74 Then, when the fear left Abraham and the good news came
to him, he pleaded with Us for Lot’s people, 75 for Abraham was
forbearing, tender-hearted, and devout. 76 ‘Abraham, cease your
pleading: what your Lord has ordained has come about; punishment
is coming to them, which cannot be turned back.’
77 And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was anxious for
them, feeling powerless to protect them, and said, ‘This is a truly
terrible day!’ 78 His people came rushing towards him; they used to
commit foul deeds. He said, ‘My people, here are my daughters. b
They are more wholesome for you, so have some fear of God and do
not disgrace me with my guests. Is there not a single right-minded
man among you?’ 79 They said, ‘You know very well that we have no
right to your daughters. You know very well what we want.’ 80 He
said, ‘If only I had the strength to stop you or could rely on strong
support!’ 81 They [the messengers] said, ‘Lot, we are your Lord’s
messengers. They will not reach you. Leave with your household
in the dead of night, and let none of you turn back. Only your wife
a Literally ‘continue to live in your homes’.
b Some commentators interpret this to refer to the daughters of his people, rather
than the prophet’s own daughters.