And certainly Our apostles came to Ibrahim with good news. They said: Peace. Peace, said he, and he made no delay in bringing a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw that their hands were not extended towards it, he deemed them strange and conceived fear of them. They said: Fear not, surely we are sent to Lut's people. 70 And his wife was standing by and she started laughing*, so We gave her glad tidings regarding Ishaq, and following Ishaq, regarding Yaqub.** (* She was glad that the disbelieving people of Lut would be destroyed.** The birth of these two.) 71 She said: Oh woe is me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman, and this my husband is an old man? Lo! this is a strange thing! 72 They said: 'What, do you marvel at the command of Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you, O people of the House. Indeed, He is Praised, Exalted' 73 And when the awe departed from Abraham, and the glad news reached him, he pleaded with Us on behalf of the folk of Lot. 74 Indeed Ibrahim is most forbearing, very soft hearted, penitent. 75 "Desist from pleading, O Abraham," (they said). "Your Lord's command has verily been issued, and a punishment that cannot be averted is bound to fall on them." 76 When Our Messengers came to Lot, he became sorrowful and felt totally helpless. He said, "This is indeed a distressful day". 77 And his people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy, etc.), he said: "O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the daughters of my nation), they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrade me not as regards my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" 78 They replied: 'You know we have no right for your daughters. You know very well what we desire' 79 He said, "If only I had the strength to stop you or could take refuge in some powerful support!" 80 [Whereupon the angels] said: "O Lot! Behold, we are messengers from thy Sustainer! Never shall [thy enemies] attain to thee! Depart, then, with thy household while it is yet night, and let none of you look back; [and take with thee all thy family] with the exception of thy wife: for, behold, that which is to befall these [people of Sodom] shall befall her [as well]. Verily, their appointed time is the morning [and] is not the morning nigh?" 81 And when Our command came, We turned it upside down, and rained on it, stone after stone of baked clay, 82 marked by your Lord. Such a punishment is not far away from the unjust people. 83