And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf. 69 But when he saw that their hands did not reach out towards it, he deemed their conduct strange and became apprehensive of them. [But] they said: "Fear not! Behold, we are sent to the people of Lot. 70 His wife, who was standing nearby, laughed when We gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob. 71 Said she: "Oh, woe is me! Shall I bear a child, now that I am an old woman and this husband of mine is an old man? Verily, that would be a strange thing indeed!" 72 They said: Do you wonder at Allah's bidding? The mercy of Allah and His blessings are on you, O people of the house, surely He is Praised, Glorious. 73 When the fear had left Abraham, and the glad tidings had been conveyed to him, he began to plead with Us for Lot's people, 74 for, behold, Abraham was most clement, most tender-hearted, intent upon turning to God again and again. 75 (It was said) O Abraham! Forsake this! Lo! thy Lord's commandment hath gone forth, and lo! there cometh unto them a doom which cannot be repelled. 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 running towards him; and they were in the habit of committing evil deeds; he said, “O my people! These women of the tribe are my daughters* – they are purer for you – therefore fear Allah and do not disgrace me in the midst of my guests; is there not even a single righteous man among you?” (* The wives of those people.) 78 They replied: 'You know we have no right for your daughters. You know very well what we desire' 79 He said: Would that I had strength against you or could betake me to a powerful support! 80 They said, 'Lot, we are messengers of thy Lord. They shall not reach thee; so set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and let not any one of you turn round, excepting thy wife; surely she shall be smitten by that which smites them. Their promised time is the morning; is the morning not nigh?' 81 So when Our Commandment came, We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down, and rained on them stones of baked clay, piled up; 82 Impressed with (the signs) of your Lord. And such (punishment) is not far for the (other) transgressers. 83