Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:170-171

So We saved him and his family, all of them, except an old woman among those who remained.

The apparent meaning is that "his family" refers to the members of his household. It has been suggested that the intent behind them is those who followed his religion, used figuratively, thus including the believers of his household and all others who believed in him. It is also said that there is no need for this generalization, as none believed in him, peace be upon him, except the members of his household. The "old woman" mentioned is his wife, who was a disbeliever, inclined toward the people [of Sodom], and satisfied with their actions.

Referring to her as an "old woman" serves to indicate that her destruction would not be a burden upon Lot, peace be upon him, or his other family members according to human nature. It is also said it serves to indicate that she had grown old in disbelief, persisting in it until she became an old woman.

The ghabir (the one who remains) is the one who stays behind after those who were with him have departed. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, cited for this the saying of Ubayd ibn al-Abras: They have departed, and I have been left behind among them; thus, I am like a stranger among those who remain.

The meaning is: We saved him and his family from the torment by removing them from among the people at night when the punishment was imminent, except for an old woman destined to be among those who remain in the torment after the safety of those who departed. Staying in the torment is the intended meaning, rather than staying in the house, based on the report that she left with Lot, peace be upon him, but was struck by a stone on the path and perished.

It is also said that the meaning is "those who remained in the house," based on the idea that, due to her destruction, she is as if she were among those who remained, or that she left and then returned and perished, as stated in some narrations, or that she did not leave with Lot, peace be upon him, at all, as stated in others.

It is also said that the ghabir is one who has a long life, and it is as if the term was applied to her because of her remaining while those who were with her had passed away, with the intention of describing the old woman as advanced in age.

Abdullah [ibn Mas'ud] recited, as narrated from him by Mujahid: "And We promised him that We would bring him his family, all of them, except an old woman among those who remained."