قالَ فَما خَطبُكُم أَيُّهَا المُرسَلونَ

He then inquired, “What’s your mission, O messengers?”

قالوا إِنّا أُرسِلنا إِلىٰ قَومٍ مُجرِمينَ

They replied, “We’ve been sent to a people steeped in sin.”

إِلّا آلَ لوطٍ إِنّا لَمُنَجّوهُم أَجمَعينَ

“Except for Lot’s family—we will rescue them all.”

إِلَّا امرَأَتَهُ قَدَّرنا ۙ إِنَّها لَمِنَ الغابِرينَ

“Except for his wife.” We had decreed that she would be among those left behind.

فَلَمّا جاءَ آلَ لوطٍ المُرسَلونَ

When the messengers came to Lot’s family.

قالوا بَل جِئناكَ بِما كانوا فيهِ يَمتَرونَ

They replied, “We brought you what they’ve been doubting.”

وَأَتَيناكَ بِالحَقِّ وَإِنّا لَصادِقونَ

“We’ve brought you the truth, and indeed, we are truthful.”

فَأَسرِ بِأَهلِكَ بِقِطعٍ مِنَ اللَّيلِ وَاتَّبِع أَدبارَهُم وَلا يَلتَفِت مِنكُم أَحَدٌ وَامضوا حَيثُ تُؤمَرونَ

“Leave with your family during the cover of night, and follow their footsteps. Let none of you look back, and proceed as instructed.”

وَقَضَينا إِلَيهِ ذٰلِكَ الأَمرَ أَنَّ دابِرَ هـٰؤُلاءِ مَقطوعٌ مُصبِحينَ

We informed him of this mandate: “The last remnants of these people will be cut off by morning.”

وَجاءَ أَهلُ المَدينَةِ يَستَبشِرونَ

And the people of the city came rejoicing.