A. The Story about Prophet Lut (Lot): His Journey, Miracles, and Trials

The Qur’an gives the history of the prophets not as mere historical incidents, but as eternal teaching to humanity. One such deep story is of Prophet Lut (Lot, عليه السلام). Prophet Abraham’s nephew, Prophet Lut, was raised among a people who lived in great moral decadence. His mission, full of challenges and divine tests, is strong evidence of faith, patience of and the fruit of the rejection of divine guidance.

1. Introduction: Who Was Prophet Lut?

This Prophet Lut (Lot) was a righteous man whom Allah had selected to be a prophet. He was born in the region of Ur in Mesopotamia, and he is likely to be the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim. When Ibrahim received revelation and migrated from his homeland to preach the message of monotheism, Lut went along with him. Some time later, Allah appointed Lut a prophet and sent him to the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea.

These cities were famous for overflowing riches and indulgence in principle, more so for their moral and sexual perversions. Not only had the people of Sodom become homosexual, but they were also encouraging it in society by committing aggressive acts on travelers and the weak and promoting it as a norm.

2. Prophet Lut’s Mission

2.1 Calling His People to Righteousness

Allah sent Lut to deliver a message of warning to the people of Sodom for what they were doing wrong and to show them the correct path to righteousness and monotheism. His message was clear:

“Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you in doing from among the world? You go after men with desire, not women. Instead, you are a transgressing people.

— Surah Al-A‘raf (7:80–81)

Even though he kept warning, the people made fun of him. They not only rejected his message, but they also threatened to drive him out of the town:

"Expel them from your city! They are, in fact, men who uphold their purity!

— Surah Al-A‘raf (7:82)

3. The Trials of Prophet Lut

3.1 Moral Isolation

Probably the most painful thing in Lut's life was feeling isolated. Unlike those other prophets, whose families had supported them, Lut’s own wife betrayed him. Not only did she not support him, but she also participated in the corrupt people of Sodom.

“Allah presents an example of the disbelievers. The wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut…”.

— Surah At-Tahrim (66:10)'

3.2 Social Rejection and Hostility

Lut’s people took his call to morality as a threat to their mode of life. He was seen as an outsider who wanted to take away their “freedom”. They rejected and ridiculed him. It started being increasingly difficult for him as the hostility increased.

4. The Turning Point: Arrival of Divine Visitors

4.1 Angels in Disguise

The climax of Lut’s story is when three angels arrive disguised as fair young men. These very angels who had previously visited Ibrahim appeared in Lut’s town to bring Allah’s punishment against them.

Lut, not knowing who they were, was afraid for his life because he understood the evil will of his people.

4.2 The People Threaten His Guests

Upon learning the visitors were coming, the townspeople hurried over to Lut’s house to kill them. In great distress, Lut tried to talk them into it:

"O my people! Here are my daughters; they are pure for you..."

— Surah Hud (11:78)

He wanted them to look for lawful marriage as opposed to evil desire.

5. On the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

When the sun came up, the punishment from Allah started. From its description, the destruction in the Qur’an is huge in scale and abrupt:

And a rain (of stones) did We let fall upon them. and evil was the rain that had come upon those who had been warned.

— Surah Ash-Shu‘ara (26:173)

Town life was upended, and there came a rain of stones which wiped out the sinners. Lut and his followers were only saved – except his wife, who looked back and perished with the disbelievers.

6. Miracles of Prophet Lut

Apart from physical miracles, other prophets' names are not popular, with Lut’s story does contain miraculous and divine elements:

6.1 Angelic Protection

The miracle from Allah was the arrival and protection in the form of angels. These angels soothed Lut and took him in safety.

6.2 Precise Divine Punishment

The whole destruction of the region, while Lut’s house was spared, was a supernatural event, a sign that Allah is in control and just.

7. Lessons from the Life of Prophet Lut

7.1 Stand Firm for the Truth

Lut’s adherence to moral purity and righteousness in the face of great social pressure and ridicule ultimately serves as an example to us of keeping the truth even when unpopular.

7.2 Accountability of Individuals

Lut’s wife is used as an example that each one of us has to be responsible for their actions, no matter how deep our relationship may be.

7.3 The Danger of Moral Corruption

The people of Sodom were not destroyed for one sin but for all of their arrogance and rejection of divine laws by usurping the normal morality of living.

7.4 Role of patience and trust in Allah.

Though having been betrayed, made fun of, and threatened, Lut was patient. His faith in Allah finally saved him and made him succeed.

8. Conclusion

The story of Prophet Lut (Lot, عليه السلام) is an eternal example of a prophet being sent to a very corrupt society. Throughout his journey, the personal pain, public humiliation, and the divine tests were a part of it. Still, his legacy is anchored in the dedication, moral courage, and faith in Allah.

When much of the same sin is coming back, even being promoted, the story of Prophet Lut can be a strong marker of the moral compass. It tells us that God does not speak through the many but to the few. May we look up to him and work to be among the righteous in our lifetime.