Lout and Abraham

[Bee]

Were Lout and Abraham in the same period…because the same messengers (angels) who gave Abraham the news of his son, told him that they were there to destroy the people of Lout including his wife…. (15:58-60)
They then go on to say about Louts wife, “whom we have ascertained”. Now this is a conversation by the angels…how can they claim that they have ascertained such and such when we know that any such decision lies with Allah only. Surely He can’t ask one of his creations to ascertain the status of his other creation.
need your comments

Bushra

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

1. Lut was the nephew of Ibrahim
2. Everything the angels do is by the command of Allah swt

 

[yoshiyahu]

Lot was Abraham's nephew. So to answer your question - yes, they did lived in the same time period. For a while they lived in the same location in the Levant, but their families became to large to do so. Lot moved near Sodom, and was saved by the Angels before its destruction.

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

The maa'likah (angels) have no 'free-will', they only do what they are commanded.

Exactly.

Let's take a look at the verses.

Suratul Hijr

15:51. And tell them about the guests (the angels) of Ibrâhim (Abraham).


15:52. When they entered unto him, and said: Salâman (peace)! [Ibrâhim (Abraham)] said: "Indeed! We are afraid of you."


15:53. They (the angels) said: "Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of a boy (son) possessing much knowledge and wisdom."


15:54. [Ibrâhim (Abraham)] said: "Do you give me glad tidings (of a son) when old age has overtaken me? Of what then is your news?"


15:55. They (the angels) said: "We give you glad tidings in truth. So be not of the despairing ones."


15:56. [Ibrâhim (Abraham)] said: "And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?"


15:57. [Ibrâhim (Abraham) again] said: "What then is the business on which you have come, O Messengers?"


15:58. They (the angels) said: "We have been sent to a people who are Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners).


15:59. "(All) except the family of Lout (Lot). Them all we are surely going to save (from destruction).


15:60. "Except his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed)."

I believe the confusion results from the last verse, here. The angels say "who we have decreed", and the question is "who gave them the authourity to do so?"

Everything the angels do is by Allah's command. So when they say, "whom we have decreed", what is meant is , "whom Allah swt has decreed and we are acting upon His order".

Hopefully that clarifies the issue.