Tafsir of Hud 11:77

"And when Our messengers came..."

Lot’s distress and anguish were due to his belief that they were human, fearing for them the wickedness of his people and his own inability to resist or defend them.

It is narrated that God Almighty said to them: "Do not destroy them until Lot testifies against them four times."

When he walked with them, heading toward his house, he said to them: "Has the affair of this town not reached you?" They asked: "And what is their affair?" He replied: "I bear witness by God that it is the most evil town on earth in its deeds," repeating this four times.

They entered his house with him, and no one knew of it. However, his wife went out and informed her people about them.

It is said: "A difficult day" (yawm ‘asib) and "a day of hardship" (‘ususub), meaning a severe day, derived from the expression: "He bound it" (‘asabahu), meaning he tightened it.

"And his people came to him, rushing toward him, and before this they had been doing evil deeds. He said, 'O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear God and do not disgrace me regarding my guests. Is there not among you a man of right conduct?' They said, 'You have already known that we have no claim to your daughters, and indeed, you know what we want.'"