The People of Lot
The narrative of the People of Lot is a significant religious account, referenced in the three Abrahamic faiths: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Lot (peace be upon him) was the nephew of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), who believed in, supported, and traveled with him to advocate for the worship of the One God. The people of Lot committed a grave sin, engaging in relations with males rather than females. In response, Lot (peace be upon him) admonished them to believe in God and forsake their immoral acts. However, they disobeyed him, persisted in their wrongdoing, and even included his wife among those who rejected his message. Consequently, God punished them by causing the earth to swallow them, sparing only Lot and those who believed with him.
The Story of Lot’s People
The story of Lot’s people began when Lot departed from his uncle Abraham by his request and settled in a city called Sodom, situated in the Jordan Valley east of the River Jordan. In the village of Sodom, the inhabitants were corrupt and arrogant, dismissing wisdom and guidance, and indulging in what God had forbidden. They committed immoral acts unprecedented among the descendants of Adam throughout history, placing them among the most depraved of nations.
God did not abandon Lot’s people without guidance; He sent Prophet Lot to counsel them, inviting them to worship God alone and warning them of forthcoming punishment. Lot (peace be upon him) approached the people of Sodom, denouncing their actions and injustice while warning them against their immoral practices and their consequences. Unfortunately, only a few embraced his message, while the majority mocked him and threatened to expel him. Nevertheless, Lot, who desired goodness for these misguided individuals, did not lose hope. He returned to them as a guiding force, but they only grew more obstinate in their arrogance and defiance.
Lot warned his people that he feared for them a punishment from God, yet they stubbornly continued their sinful ways until God’s decree of punishment was issued. He sent three noble angels to the village of Sodom, appearing as men visiting Abraham, namely: Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael. They responded to God’s commands to bring about His punishment upon the people of Lot.
Destruction of the City
Upon the angels’ arrival in Sodom, they were welcomed by Prophet Lot (peace be upon him). Their countenances were remarkably handsome, causing Lot to fear for their safety from his own people. Moments later, a mob gathered at the door, including his wife, who informed them of the guests’ presence, demanding that Lot hand over his visitors.
Lot was anxious for his guests, but the angels reassured him not to fear. They revealed that they were angels of God and that they would save Lot and the believers before God unleashed His wrath upon the community. Lot was instructed to inform the believers to flee the condemned town without delay. As night fell, Lot (peace be upon him) and the believers swiftly left Sodom. No sooner had they distanced themselves than God’s command was executed. The next morning, the earth shook violently in Sodom, destroying homes and turning them upside down, resulting in the complete obliteration of the city and its sinful inhabitants, leaving no trace of them.
Remnants of Lot’s People
According to Christian sources, the people of Lot inhabited the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, as referenced in the Bible, specifically in verse 24: “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens.” The Quran does not specify the location of Lot’s people definitively; however, scholars have derived insights through the interpretation of Quranic verses. Recent archaeological findings have identified the site of Sodom at a location known as Tall al-Hammam, northeast of the Jordan River mouth, approximately 14 kilometers north of the Dead Sea. Here, large rock cisterns and numerous stone relics, including massive dolmens or tables made from large flint rocks, were discovered.
The archaeological findings in the city can be divided into two sections: the upper and the lower. The upper section features a massive wall surrounding the city, constructed from clay bricks by the early inhabitants for defense, dating back to the Bronze Age. A substantial gateway from the Iron Age was also uncovered in the northern part of the city, boasting two impressive towers. Beneath layers of ash, two homes were discovered, one from the Bronze Age and the other from the Iron Age, complete with a kitchen.
In the lower section of the city, a substantial structure, approximately two meters in height and dating back to the Iron Age, was found, alongside numerous houses from the Bronze Age, containing domestic pottery tools. Additionally, a central plaza paved with solid clay was located at its entrance, flanked by two imposing parallel towers.
Discovery of the City
In December 2005, excavation operations began in the Dead Sea area to uncover the remnants of the city of Lot mentioned in Christian texts. The exploratory team, led by archaeologist Steven Collins from Trinity University in New Mexico, operated under the supervision of the Jordanian Department of Antiquities.
The site yielded artifacts from the Late Stone Age (6000-4500 B.C.), the Copper Age (4500-3600 B.C.), the Bronze Age (3600-1200 B.C.), and the Iron Age (1200-332 B.C.). Scholars have affirmed that this site corresponds to the city of Sodom mentioned in religious texts.