In the time of Ibrahim, Allah sent Lut, peace be upon him, as a prophet to a town whose people openly committed an indecency that no one in the world had committed before them. They robbed travellers on the road and did shameful things in their gatherings.
Lut told them: fear Allah and stop this transgression. They mocked him: drive Lut and his family out of the town — they want to keep themselves pure!
The guests
One day angels sent by Allah came to Lut as guests. He did not recognise them; instead he was troubled for their sake, knowing the townspeople would rush to dishonour his guests. This is a hard day, he said.
It happened as he feared. The men came running. Lut reminded them to fear Allah and begged them not to shame him before his guests. Is there not a single right-minded man among you? he asked.
Then the guests made themselves known:
Lut left in the last part of the night with those who believed. His wife was among those who disobeyed, and she stayed behind. When morning came, Allah's command came: the town was turned upside down, and stones of baked clay rained upon it.