Surah Al-Hijr 15:76

The Destruction of the People of Lut

Allah said;

(So the Sayhah overtook them) This is the piercing sound that came to them when the sun rose, which was accompanied by the city being flipped upside down, and stones of baked clay (As-Sijjil) raining down upon them. The discussion of As-Sijjil in Surah Hud is a sufficient explanation. Allah said:

(Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) meaning that the traces of the destruction of that city are easily visible to any one who ponder about it, whether they look at it with physical eyesight or mental and spiritual insight, as Mujahid said concerning the phrase,

(those who see) he said, "those who have insight and discernment." It was reported from Ibn `Abbas and Ad-Dahhak that it referred to those who look. Qatadah said: "those who learn lessons".

(those who see) therefore the meaning is "those who ponder".

The City of Sodom on the Highroad

(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) meaning that the city of Sodom, which was physically and spiritually turned upside down, and pelted with stones until it became a foul smelling lake (the Dead Sea), is on a route that is easily accessible until the present day. This is like the Ayah,

(Verily, you pass by them in the morning, and at night. Will you not then reflect) (37:137-138).

(Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.) meaning, `All that We did to the people of Lut, from the destruction and the vengeance, to how We saved Lut and his family, these are clear signs to those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.'

Allah swt menerangkan bahwa negeri kaum Lut yang telah dihancurkan itu terletak pada jalan-jalan yang biasa dilalui manusia. Reruntuhannya dapat dilihat sampai saat ini oleh orang-orang yang mengadakan perjalanan dari Medinah ke Syam. Hal ini ditegaskan oleh Allah swt dalam firman-Nya yang lain:

Dan sesungguhnya kamu (penduduk Mekah) benar-benar akan melalui (bekas-bekas) mereka pada waktu pagi, dan pada waktu malam. Maka mengapa kamu tidak mengerti? (as-shaffat/37: 137-138)

Orang-orang Arab Mekah biasanya mengadakan perdagangan ke Syam. Mereka berangkat dalam kafilah. Dalam perjalanan mereka pulang balik dari Mekah ke Syam itu, mereka melalui negeri kaum Lut dan dapat menyaksikan bekas-bekasnya.