THIRD REMINDER. Wednesday. THE WARNING AND PUNISHMENT OF ALLAH TO THE PEOPLE OF PROPHET LUT alaihi salaam. BismilLah Let's continue from the day's REMINDERS. It's a bit long but don't miss a line please. THE ANGELS ARRIVE IN SODOM: The three angels – said to have been Jibrael AS, Mikael AS and Israfil AS – then arrived at the outskirts of Lut’s AS town in the form of very handsome human beings. When Lut AS heard of the strangers, he felt distressed and wondered how he could convince them to bypass the towns of Sodom and continue on their travels. He tried to make them understand the nature of the towns people but only succeeded in convincing the messengers to wait for nightfall before entering the town. He brought them to his house secretly so that no one but his family knew that they were there. However, his wife went out to inform her people, saying, “In Lut’s house there are men whose like I have never seen, nor have I ever seen such handsome faces.” “Indeed, you are people unknown.” (Qur’an 15:62), Lut AS said to this visitors, thus giving them an indirect hint of what they might expect in his town. His guests showed no trace of fear or concern. “But we have come to you with that about which they were disputing, and we have come to you with truth, and indeed, we are truthful. So set out with your family during a portion of the night and follow behind them and let not anyone among you look back and continue on to where you are commanded,” (Qur’an 15:63-65),they instructed Lut AS. Despite this reassurance, Lut AS remained greatly troubled about the strangers’ safety. Although, as his guests, they were under his protection, he knew well enough that as soon as their presence became known, the men of his town would be at his door. As Lut AS had anticipated, the news of the incredibly handsome strangers visiting the city brought the townsmen to his house in haste, (Qur’an 11:78; 15:67), rejoicing at the prospect of the male visitors. He warned the people that the men were his guests and not to disgrace him in front of his guests. The intruders flung back at their prophet saying “indeed you know what we want!” (Qur’an 11:79). Lut AS cried in anguish, feeling totally powerless to save the guests to whom he had given the protection of his house. “O Lut, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you,” (Qur’an 11:80) his guests reassured him. The last words suggest that the attackers intended to eliminate Lut AS to get at his guests. But as they men approached in the heat of their unnatural lust, or perhaps tried to force their way in, the angels took away their sight. (Qur’an 54:37; 15:72). The angels said to Lut AS, 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?” (Qur’an 11:81). Then it was early dawn, Lut AS departed with his family, except his wife. She remained behind and was afflicted by the punishment along with the wrong doers and wicked townspeople. (Qur’an 54:34) As he had been directed, Lut AS set out with his family. When Lut AS and his party had cleared the area, the divine command came forth to destroy Lut’s AS people. (Qur’an 15:73-74; 7:84; 53:53-54). Various commentators have said that angel Jibrael AS lifted up all the sinful towns into the sky together with their inhabitants, and turn them over; hence the name Al-Mu’tafikat, the Overturned Cities. Then Allah rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned (Qur’an 26:173) as He sent upon them a storm of stones (Qur’an 54:34) of clay, marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors.”  (Qur’an 51:33-34).  It is said that each stone was inscribed with the name of the person for whom it was intended, and that the heavenly missiles struck the heads of their human targets, smashing their brains. Thus were the flourishing cities of Sodom and the 4 other towns in the vicinity obliterated with all their people, including the wife of their prophet, as a recompense for the wickedness and perverse lusts of its inhabitants. Thus, the pages were closed on the people of Lut AS. Their names were erased from historical memory. The punishment that Allah promised, and Prophet Lut AS warned about, happened, for surely Allah keeps His promises. He promises severe punishment for the wrongdoers and Paradise is the reward of the righteous. Lut and his family walked into the sunrise and Qur’an mentions them no more. And to Lut We gave judgment and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient. And We admitted him into Our mercy. Indeed, he was of the righteous. (Qur’an 21:74-75) May Allah’s highest blessings be upon Lut AS, the much tried prophet of the Overturned Cities. Today, in many cities across the world, it is unsafe to walk down the streets, even in daylight. Murder, sexual crimes against adults and children are widespread, and drugs abound. Most children in high school have already encountered drug users and sellers. Alcohol is freely available at corner stores, even though it is responsible for the break up of families, domestic violence and the corrosion of society. Degenerate lifestyles are accepted and even thought of as normal. This description paints a picture of a scary, out of control world, but is it really so different from the time of Prophet Lut AS?  Should we not take heed from the horrific fate of these people and those before them who have been destroyed by Allah for not obeying His message? Let us all take a minute to pray to Allah to keep us and all our loved ones guided, protected and enveloped in His Highest Mercy, shielded and away from such Satanic vices. Ameen yaa Rabbil Aalameen.