ﱒ ﱓ ﱔ ﱕ ﱖ ﱗ ﱘ ﱙ ﱚ ﱛ ﱜ ﱝ ﱞ ﱟ ﱠ ﱡ ﱢ ﱣ
[Abraham] said, "Indeed, within it is Lot." They said, "We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family, except his wife. She is to be of those who remain behind."
Tafsir
Verse range: 29:31-32
{With the glad tidings} This refers to the glad tidings of a son. And the nafilah (gift/extra) refers to both Ishaq and Yaqub.
{We are going to destroy the people of this town} The genitive construction (idafa) of muhliku (destroyers of) is for the purpose of lightening (grammatical ease), not for definiteness. The meaning refers to the future. The "town" is Sodom, about which it was said: "More unjust than the judge of Sodom."
{They were wrongdoers} This means that wrongdoing had been established by them in days past, and they persisted in it. Their wrongdoing was their disbelief and their various acts of disobedience.
{Indeed, Lot is in it} This is not an informing of them that he is in it; rather, it is an argument regarding his situation. Because when they (the angels) gave the reason for destroying the people of the town as being their wrongdoing, he (Ibrahim) objected by stating that there is someone in it who is innocent of wrongdoing. By this argument, he intended to show compassion for them, and to demonstrate what is required of a believer: to grieve for his brother, to exert himself in his defense and protection, and to fear that any harm might touch him or any injury might befall him. Qatada said: "A believer should not see anything but that he protects the believer."
Do you not see their response: {We know better who is in it}? They meant: We are more knowledgeable than you and better informed about the state of Lot and the state of his people, and his clear distinction from them, and that he does not deserve what they deserve. So, calm yourself and take the matter lightly.
It has been recited as {lanunajjiyannahu} (We will surely save him) with both emphasis (shadda) and without it (takhfif), and likewise for {munujuka} (saving you).
{And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was distressed for them and felt powerless to protect them. They said, "Do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, we will save you and your family, except your wife; she is of those who remain behind."}
