This story narrates the three angels who disguised themselves as handsome young men visiting the home of Prophet Luth, and his people who were inclined to homosexuality attempted to approach his guests until Allah blinded their eyes.
The supplications of Prophet Luth and his prayers were accepted and answered by Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Three angels were sent to him, disguised as ordinary people. They were the angels who had visited Prophet Ibrahim with the glad tidings about the birth of Prophet Ishaq, and had informed him that he was a messenger of Allah with the task of bringing punishment upon the people of Luth, the inhabitants of the city of Sadum.
During this meeting Prophet Ibrahim had pleaded for a postponement of the punishment upon the people of Sadum, in case they would come to their senses, listen and follow Luth's call, and repent from all their transgressions and abominations. Also during this meeting Prophet Ibrahim pleaded that his cousin, Luth, be saved from the punishment that would be sent upon the people of Sadum—a request that the angels accepted and guaranteed that Luth and his family would not be touched by the punishment.
The angels arrived in Sadum disguised as young men who were handsome in appearance and beautiful and fine in physique. On their way entering the city, they encountered a beautiful and graceful girl who was drawing water from a well. The angels, or the young men, asked the girl whether they would be welcomed into a house as guests. The girl did not dare give an answer before consulting with her family. So the young men were left by the girl as she hurried home to inform her father.
The Angels Who Visited Prophet Luth
Her father was Prophet Luth himself who heard the report from his daughter and became troubled about what answer he should give to the visitors who wanted to stay as guests in his house for some time. However, accepting young guests with handsome appearance would invite the risk of disturbance from his people and from his guests—his people who were obsessed with young men who had fine bodies and beautiful faces.
But if such a thing occurred, he as the host would be responsible for the safety of his guests, yet he felt that he would not be able to stand against his people who were fierce and hungry for transgression.
After deliberation and consideration, Prophet Luth finally decided to accept them as guests in his house, whatever consequences his decision would bring he entrusted to Allah who would protect him. Then he himself went to meet the guests who were waiting at the edge of the city and brought them together to his house at the time when the city of Sadum was already covered in darkness and its people were already asleep in their respective homes.
The Angels Who Visited Prophet Luth
Prophet Luth tried and instructed his wife and his two daughters to keep the arrival of the guests secret, lest it be heard and known by his people. However, the wife of Prophet Luth, who was indeed in league and in agreement with the people of Sadum, had disclosed the news of the arrival of the guests, and the leaders of his people heard that Luth had guests consisting of young men who were handsome in appearance and possessed bodies that were very attractive to those who favored homosexuality. Allah the Almighty says:
"And when Our messengers came to Luth, he was troubled and distressed on their account, and said: 'This is a calamitous day.' And his people came rushing toward him—they had long been in the habit of committing abominations." (QS. Hud: 77-78)
What Prophet Luth feared came to pass. As soon as the news of the arrival of young guests at Luth's house spread from mouth to mouth, they came to his house to see his guests and to satisfy their desires. Prophet Luth did not open the door for them and called out to them to return to their homes and not to disturb the guests who had come from afar and who should be honored and respected.
They were given advice to abandon the vile custom that was contrary to human nature and the natural order by which the Lord had created mankind in pairs—male and female—to ensure the continuity and development of mankind as the most honored of creatures on earth.
A very difficult day then began. Prophet Luth's people hurried toward him. Prophet Luth asked himself: 'Who has informed them?' Then he turned to the right and left looking for his wife but he did not find her. This added to the grief of Prophet Luth.
The Angels Who Visited Prophet Luth
Prophet Luth's people stood in front of his house door. Prophet Luth came out to them full of hope—what if they could be made to think straight? What if they could be persuaded to use sound natural disposition? What if they could be stirred with healthy inclination toward the other sex whom Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) had created for them? Were there not women in their own homes? Should it not be women who should be their inclination, rather than being inclined toward fellow men?
He said: O my people! Here are my daughters—they are purer for you. So fear Allah and do not disgrace me regarding my guests. Is there not among you a man of sound understanding? (QS. Hud: 78)
Here are my daughters. What is meant by this statement? Prophet Luth wanted to say to them: Before you are women on earth. They are purer for you in terms of purity of soul and body. When you are inclined toward them, then that inclination is the fulfillment of sound natural disposition. So fear Allah. Prophet Luth tried to touch their souls from the perspective of God-consciousness after touching them from the perspective of natural disposition. Fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and remember that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) hears and sees and will be angry and punish those who disobey. A person of sound mind should avoid His anger.
The Angels Who Visited Prophet Luth
And do not disgrace me regarding my guests. This was a failed attempt from him to stir their sense of dignity and their tradition as Bedouins who should respect guests, not humiliate them. Is there not among you a man of sound understanding? Is there not among you someone of sound judgment? Is there not among you a man of reason? What is it that you desire—if it were to come to pass, then that would be the very essence of madness. Reason is the proper means for you to know the truth. Truly this matter is very clear in its truth if you consider natural disposition, religion, and self-respect. His people waited until he finished his brief advice and then they laughed boisterously. The pure words of Prophet Luth were not able to change diseased souls, frozen hearts, and foolish minds:
They said: You well know that we have no need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want. (QS. Hud: 79)
Thus it is made very clear that the truth is concealed behind obscurity, something known to the whole world. They did not tell him what they wanted because the world knew it and moreover he also knew it—namely, the indication of evil intent for evil deeds.
The Angels Who Visited Prophet Luth
Prophet Luth felt grief and weakness in the midst of his people. In anger Prophet Luth entered his house and closed the door. He stood listening to their laughter and insults and the pounding on his house door. Meanwhile, the strangers who were guests of Prophet Luth sat in a state of calm and absorbed.
Prophet Luth felt amazement within himself when he saw their calmness. And the pounding on the door grew louder. The wooden planks of the door began to appear damaged and weakened, then Prophet Luth cried out in distress:
Luth said: I wish I had power to resist you or could resort to some mighty support. (QS. Hud: 80)
Prophet Luth hoped to gain strength so that he could protect his guests. He wished that there were a strong fortress that could protect him—the fortress of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) within which the prophets and His beloved are protected.
The Angels Who Visited Prophet Luth
Regarding this, the Prophet said when reciting this verse: Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) sent down mercy upon Prophet Luth. He sought refuge in a strong fortress. When suffering reached its peak and Prophet Luth uttered his words flying like a bird in despair, his guests moved and suddenly rose. They informed him that he would truly be protected under a strong fortress:
The messengers said: O Luth! We are the messengers of your Lord; they shall not harm you. (QS. Hud: 81)
Do not complain, O Luth, and do not be afraid. We are angels, and these people will not be able to touch you. Suddenly the door opened. Jibril rose and pointed his hand swiftly so that the people lost their eyes. Then they appeared scattering against the wall and they left the house and they thought that they were entering it. Jibril blinded their eyes. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
And we turned back their attempt and blinded their eyes; then taste My punishment and My warning. Surely, the punishment of the Hereafter will be more humiliating, and they will not be helped. (QS. al-Qamar: 37-38)
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