The story of the angels' visit to Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - in the Quran

The story of the angels' visit to Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned in several chapters of the Quran, including Surah Hud, Surah Al-Hijr, Surah Al-Anbiya, and Surah Ash-Shu'ara.

The story begins with the arrival of three angels in human form who come to Abraham's home. Abraham welcomes them and offers them food and hospitality. When he realizes they are not eating, he becomes afraid and they reassure him that they are messengers from Allah and have been sent to give good news of a son to Abraham's wife Sarah, who was barren.

The angels then reveal that they have been sent to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, where the people have been engaging in immoral behavior. Abraham pleads with the angels to spare the cities if there are righteous people living there, and the angels promise to do so.

However, when the angels arrive in the cities, they find that there are no righteous people, and they proceed with the destruction. Only Lot and his family are spared, as they had believed in Allah and left the city when they were told to do so.

The story of the angels' visit to Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a reminder of Allah's power and justice, as well as the importance of righteous behavior and faith in Allah.

The story of the angels' visit to Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned in multiple verses throughout the Quran. It is difficult to give an exact count as the story is referenced indirectly in some verses and more directly in others. However, some of the notable verses that mention this story include:

Surah Hud 11:69-83

Surah Al-Hijr 15:51-77

Surah Al-Anbiya 21:71-75

Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:160-175

Surah Al-Fajr 89:6-14


Overall, this story is referenced in at least 5 different surahs (chapters) of the Quran.


Surah Hud 11:69-83:

" And certainly there came Our messengers to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot." And his wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob. She said, "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!" They said, "Are you amazed at the decree of Allah ? May the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, people of the house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable." And when the fright had left Abraham and the good tidings had reached him, he began to argue with Us concerning the people of Lot. Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving and [frequently] returning [to Allah ]. [The angels said], "O Abraham, give up this [plea]. Indeed, the command of your Lord has come, and indeed, there will reach them a punishment that cannot be repelled." And when Our messengers, [the angels], came to Lot, he was anguished for them and felt for them great discomfort and said, "This is a trying day." And his people came hastening to 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 Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?" They said, "You have already known that we have not concerning your daughters any claim, and indeed, you know what we want." He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support." [The angels] said, "O Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you. So set out with your family during a portion of the night and let not any among you look back - except your wife; indeed, she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?" So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay, [which were] marked from your Lord. And Allah 's punishment is not from the ones who are far."


Surah Al-Hijr 15:51-77:

"And inform them of the guests of Abraham,

When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "Indeed, we are fearful of you."

[The angels] said, "Fear not. Indeed, we give you good tidings of a learned boy."

He said, "Have you given me good tidings although old age has come upon me? Then of what [wonder] do you inform?"

They said, "We have given you good tidings in truth, so do not be of the despairing."

[Abraham] said, "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?"

[Abraham] said, "Then what is your business [here], O messengers?"

They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals

To send down upon them stones of clay,

Marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors."

So We brought out whoever was in the cities of the believers.

And We found not within them other than a [single] house of Muslims.

And We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment.

And in Moses [was a sign], when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority.

But he turned away with his supporters and said," A magician or a madman."

So We took him and his soldiers and cast them into the sea, and he was blameworthy.

And in 'Aad [was a sign], when We sent against them the barren wind.

It left nothing of what it came upon but that it made it like disintegrated ruins.

And in Thamud [was a sign], when it was said to them, "Enjoy yourselves for a time."

But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.

And they were unable to arise, nor could they defend themselves.

And [We destroyed] the people of Noah before; indeed, they were a people defiantly disobedient.

And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.

And the earth We have spread out, and excellent is the preparer.

And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember.

So flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.

And do not make [as equal] with Allah another deity. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner."


Surah Al-Anbiya 21:71-75:

"And We delivered him (Abraham) and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds.

And We gave him Isaac and Jacob, each did We guide, and Noah did We guide before, and of his descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good.

And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias, each one was of the righteous.

And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot, each one did We exalt above the worlds.

And of their fathers and their descendants and their brethren, and We chose them and guided them to a straight path."


Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:160-175:

[26:160] And We inspired Moses, "Travel by night with My servants, and strike for them a dry path through the sea. You shall fear no pursuit, and do not be afraid."

[26:161] Pharaoh pursued them with his troops, but the sea overwhelmed them, as it was destined to overwhelm them.

[26:162] Thus, he brought his people to the wrong side of the valley.

[26:163] And then We sent upon them the floods, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood - profound signs. But they maintained their arrogance. They were a criminal people.

[26:164] Whenever a plague struck them, they would say, "O Moses, invoke your Lord for us, according to the covenant He made with you. If you relieve us of this plague, we will believe in you, and let the Children of Israel go with you."

[26:165] But then, when We relieved them of the plague, for a predetermined period, they broke their word.

[26:166] Consequently, We avenged ourselves upon them, and drowned them in the sea - because they rejected Our signs and were heedless of them.

[26:167] And We gave the people who were oppressed the eastern and western parts of the land that We had blessed. Thus, your Lord's good promise to the Children of Israel was fulfilled, because of their patience. And We annihilated everything that Pharaoh and his people had wrought and everything that they had built.

[26:168] And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, whereupon they came upon some people who were devoted to some statues they had. They said, "O Moses, make a god for us, like the gods they have." He said, "You are truly ignorant people."

[26:169] "What these people are doing is doomed to fail, and what they are doing is in vain."

[26:170] He said, "Shall I seek a god for you other than God, when He has favored you over all other people?"

[26:171] And when We delivered you from Pharaoh's people, who inflicted a terrible persecution upon you, killing your sons and sparing your women - this was an immense trial from your Lord.

[26:172] And when We parted the sea for you, and saved you, and drowned Pharaoh's people while you looked on.

[26:173] And when We appointed for Moses forty nights, and you took to worshipping the calf in his absence, and were wicked.

[26:174] Then We pardoned you thereafter, that you may be appreciative.

[26:175] And We gave Moses the Scripture and the Statute, that you may be guided.


Surah Al-Fajr 89:6-14:

"O man, indeed you are to your Lord a laborer until the Day of Resurrection.

Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand,

He will be judged with an easy account

And return to his people in happiness.

But as for he who is given his record behind his back,

He will cry out for destruction

And [enter to] burn in a Blaze.

Indeed, he had [once] been among his people in happiness;

Indeed, he had thought he would never return [to Allah]."


In summary, the story goes that angels in the form of humans visited Prophet Abraham and informed him that they were sent by God to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to the wickedness of the people there. Abraham, who was concerned about the fate of his nephew Lot who lived in the city, tried to plead with the angels to spare the cities if they could find even a few righteous people. However, the angels confirmed that the cities were beyond salvation and only Lot and his family would be spared. The destruction of the cities was then carried out by a rain of stones and they were never rebuilt. Lot and his family were saved and urged to flee the city without looking back, but his wife disobeyed and was turned into a pillar of salt as punishment.

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