Be it known that Allah would torment those who torment people in the world

Cruelty is imbeded in the history of the mankind. It started from petty matters like possessing a woman and then kiiling any rival laying siilar claims. The example of Able and Cane is a point in case. Cruelty has also been used as a tool of wileding power and subduing one's opponents. such people enjoy cruelty because it gives them a sense of power. Inflicting pain can create a feeling of dominance, especially for those who feel powerless in other parts of life. Kings have been killing their ooponents in jam packed arenas of bygone days with people yelling at the top of their voice to see meak and weak being killed and ripped apart by Kings' soldiers and sometimes even by wild animals. The dungeons under the mighty castles house humans in extreme inhuman conditions for it amuses the demagogue kings.

But this has never been Divinely liked and man has been cautioned to be kind and to one's opponents or even to the criminalsby not subjecting them to torture and inhuman tratment. In fact the sruel in the corridors of power are sternly warned to be ready for the Divine torment in the life of the hereafter.

There is a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as mentioned in Sahi Muslim (Hadith 6658) on the subject as mentioned herein under:

Hisham reported on the authority of his father that Hisham b. Hakim b. Hizam happened to pass by people, the farmers of Syria, who had been made to stand in the sun. He said: What is the matter with them? They said: They have been detained for Jizya. Thereupon Hisham said: I bear testimony to the fact that I heard Allah's Messenger ( ‌صلی ‌اللہ ‌علیہ ‌وسلم ‌ ) as saying: Allah would torment those who torment people in the world.

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ مَرَّ هِشَامُ بْنُ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ عَلَى أُنَاسٍ مِنْ الْأَنْبَاطِ بِالشَّامِ قَدْ أُقِيمُوا فِي الشَّمْسِ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُهُمْ قَالُوا حُبِسُوا فِي الْجِزْيَةِ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ أَشْهَدُ لَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعَذِّبُ الَّذِينَ يُعَذِّبُونَ النَّاسَ فِي الدُّنْيَا

While the brutalities of kings and their cronies continues unabated, even in most democratic countries, cruelty to the opponents of the sitting governments continues, with many a Muslim countries being no exception. The opponetns and the voice makers are not only tortured mentally but the worst kind of physical torture. And this also extends to their families as a tool to force them to force their loved ones to give in and bow their heads in subjugation. 

The torture on the behest of the masters would not absolve the lower ranks of the crime of torture and will share the torment of Allah as has been promised in the above cited Hadith. This hadith offers a strong ethical warning against cruelty and injustice, even when it occurs under legal or governmental authority.

Let us take inferences from Qur'an and see how inhuman treatment, vengence, torture and cruelty has been forbidden:

Justice and Mercy are Core Principles

The Qur’an consistently emphasizes justice (‘adl) and mercy (rahma). Mistreating people — even if they are in the wrong — violates these principles.

• Qur'an 16:90:  "Indeed, Allah commands justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression..."

• The punishment described in the hadith — forcing people to stand in the sun — is an example of oppression or unnecessary suffering.

Accountability for Tyranny and Cruelty: Cruelty to others brings divine punishment — this is a major Qur’anic theme.

• Qur’an 42:42: "The blame is only against those who wrong people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment."
• The hadith directly aligns with this ayah: those who "torment people in the world" will be "tormented by Allah."

Prophetic Mercy and Conduct

• Qur’an 21:107: "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds."
• The Prophet ﷺ was a model of mercy — even in times of war or governance.
• The hadith reflects that — punishing someone harshly for not paying Jizya goes against that Prophetic example.

 Lessons and Applications

• Abuse of Power is Forbidden: Whether it's a ruler, employer, or anyone in authority, Islam forbids using power to mistreat others.
• Cruel Punishments Are Un-Islamic: Leaving people to suffer in the sun or using physical torment as punishment contradicts the Prophet’s teachings.
• Rights of the ordinary irrespective of their religion: Islam mandates fair and humane treatment of all citizens, including non-Muslims living under Islamic governance.

Moral takeaway: Islam doesn’t just forbid wrongdoing; it warns of divine punishment for those who torment others, even under the pretext of law. Despite clear Qur'anic commadments, many a Muslim countries and their leaders still indulge in inhuman treatment of their opponents and subject to the limitless torture to break them to accept their hegomony. Do such leaders think that they will be absolved of their crimes on the Day of Judgement? Let us ponder over it.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imamam of the masjid for more calrification.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.

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Prophet Lut (Lot) and Allah's Wrath on his People

Quran has many anecdotes and events described in detail which serve as eye opener for people who have wisdom and intellect to ponder upon circumstance which compelled Allah to teach lesson to miscreants and those digressing from the enlightened path shown by Him.

One of the detailed account in Quran is about Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) and his people. This account is also available in the Biblical books and validates Islam's belief and acceptance of all holy books revealed on chosen messengers of Allah before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Prophet Lut is said to be nephew of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham, peace be upon him) and both had gone to Egypt. There they were gifted with vast herds of sheep and while returning a rift between the shepherds of two herds arose due to which both prophets parted ways and Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) went to the city of Sodom located west shore of present day Dead sea between the states of Jordan and Israel.

The people of the city were extremely misdirected, mislead beside being robbers and murderers. Though this was not enough of their bad deeds, they are reported be the first people in the history to have indulged in homosexuality. Since men did not have any interest in women, their women too had liking within their own kind. Even travelers coming to Sodom were picked up for their lust and many later killed.

The Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) tried his best to persuade his people to come back to the righteous path and leave all their bad deeds and life of lust. But they never listened to him and instead asked him to leave them to themselves and go somewhere else. And when Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) would try to frighten them with a possible wrath of Allah, they would mock him and tell him to ask his God to send whatever he intended to sent upon them: “Bring God’s torment upon us if you are one of the truthful.” (Quran 29:29)

The Quran explains this in its Surah 26, verses 160-171:

"The people of Lot (those dwelt in the towns of Sodom in Palestine) belied the Messengers when their brother Lut said to them, 'Will you not fear Allah and obey Him? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of Islamic Monotheism) my reward is only from the Lord of the 'alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Go you in unto the males of the 'alamin (mankind), and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your wives? Nay, you are a trespassing people!'

"They said, 'If you cease not, O Lut! Verily, you will be one of those who are driven out!'
"He said, 'I am indeed, of those who disapprove with severe anger and fury your (this evil) action (of sodomy). My Lord! Save me and my family from what they do.'

"So We saved him and his family, all except an old woman (this wife) among those who remained behind."

The Prophet Lut (may peace be upon him) was certainly disheartened but still continued his efforts to bring people of Sodom to the righteous path, though his efforts yielded no result. Even his own wife was with her community and did not follow her pious husband. 

Thus one day Prophet Lut (may peace be upon him) prayed to Allah to teach lesson to the disbelievers and the lustful people of Sodom. Allah thus sent two angels in the disguise of young beautiful boys. When they reached the walls of the city, Prophet Lut's daughter spotted them who was filling water from a stream. One of the angels came to her and asked for a place for rest. Being a dutiful daughter of his father and knowing the character of people of the city, she ran to her father and told him the arrival of strangers. Prophet Lut accompanied her daughter to the place and was himself stunned to see the beautiful people and asked who they were. But the angels refused to answer any question and asked him to be their host.

Fearful of them being spotted by the people of the city, Prophet Lut let the darkness fell and then brought them to his house unnoticed. But unknown to him, he had an informer right in his house - his wife, who instantly went out and spread the word in the town of the presence of two beautiful strangers in their house. And it did not take long for people of the town surround his house and asked Prophet Lut to surrender his guests to them. Prophet Lut was amazed as to how they came to know his guests but when he did not find his wife in the house, he got the clue.

Prophet Lut locked his house and pleaded them to go back to their wives rather than lustfully eying his guests and fear wrath of Allah. But they kept pushing and banging on his door but Prophet Lut did not allow them enter his house. When his guests saw the plight of their host, they then told him that they were God sent angels and the city people will not be able to harm them. When the mob heard the angels speaking, they fell back abusing and reiterated to come back in the morning.

The angels then asked Prophet Lut to leave his house along with his family, less his disobedient wife, immediately for Allah's wrath and fury was on its way. While leaving his house, the angels warned that no one should look back when the wrath of Allah descended upon the people of Sodom. And sure enough, as they left the town they felt a huge tremor and volleys of fire filled stones falling on the city. In fact the city had been lifted up and then struck back on earth with a mighty force. Prophet Lut's wife who had followed his family had her heart still attracted to her people and turned back to see what was happening to them. In that very instant shoe too was burnt alive and turned into ashes.

This is how, the entire episode is narrated in the 15th chapter of Quran:

"Then when the Messengers (the angels) came unto the family of Lot, he said, 'Verily! You are people unknown to me.' They said, 'Nay! we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting. And we have brought to you the truth (the news of the destruction of your nation) and certainly, we tell the truth. Then travel in a part of the night with your family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look back, but go on to where you are ordered.'

"And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the early morning.

"The inhabitants of the city came rejoicing (at the news of the young men's arrival). Lot said, 'Verily! These are my guests, so shame me not. And fear Allah and disgrace me not.' They (people of the city) said, 'Did we not forbid you to entertain (or protect) any of the 'alamin (people, foreigners strangers etc) from us?' Lot said, 'These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters to marry lawfully if you must act so.'

"Verily, by your life (O Muhammad), in their wild intoxication they were wandering blindly. So as-salihah (torment, awful cry, etc.) overtook them at the time of sunrise; and We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of baked clay. Surely! In this are signs for those who see (or understand or learn the lessons from the Signs of Allah). And verily! They (the cities) are right on the highroad (from Makkah to Syria, i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now). Surely! Therein is indeed a sign for the believers."

"So we saved him and his family, all, except an old woman (his wife) among those who remained behind. Then afterward We destroyed the others. We rained on them a rain of torment. How evil was the rain of those who had been warned. Verily, in this is indeed a sign yet most of them are not believers. Verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful."

Thus thereafter, people forgot who people of Sodom were but only what happened to them. The towns are no more - many believe these to be under water of the Dead Sea and attribute its highly alkaline water because it has under its fold a cursed city and bodies of cursed people who instead of living a clean life with their wives, chose to be homosexual - something abhorred by the Allah Almighty.

Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) then went to Prophet Ibraheem (may peace be upon him) and told him what happened to his people and how they remained unhurt. But to his surprise Prophet  Ibraheem (may peace be upon him) already knew what he wanted to tell. In fact the two angels sent by Allah had first visited Ibraheem (may peace be upon him)  and had already told him of their mission beside giving him the tiding of a son being born to him.

"And tell them about the guests (angels) of Abraham. When they entered unto him, and said, 'Salaam (peace)!' Abraham said, 'Indeed! We are afraid of you.'

"They (the angels) said, 'Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of a boy (son) possessing much knowledge and wisdom.' (Abraham) said, 'Do you give me glad tidings (of a son) when old age has overtaken me? Of what then is your news?' They (the angels) said, 'We give you glad tidings in truth. So be not of the despairing.'

"Abraham said, 'And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?' (Abraham again) said, 'What then is the business on which you have come, O Messengers?'

"They (the angels) said, 'We have been sent to a people who are sinners. (All) except the family of Lut. Them all we are surely going to save (from destruction).'

"Except his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of the those who remain behind (she will be destroyed).

Thereafter Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) continued to spread the word of Allah to his new found people till his very last. But the episode of Prophet Lut (may peace be upon him) leaves a clear message to those digressing from enlightened path of Allah and indulging in activities (like homosexuality and belittling chose ones of Allah when they call them to purity) to beware of Allah's wrath, agony and torment for Allah does not like transgressors.

References | Photo

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