When they entered unto him, and said: Salâm (peace)! [Ibrâhim
(Abraham)] said: "Indeed! We are afraid of you." (52) They (the angels)
said: "Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of a boy (son)
possessing much knowledge and wisdom." (53) [Ibrâhim (Abraham)]
said: "Do you give me glad tidings (of a son) when old age has overtaken
me? Of what then is your news?" (54) They (the angels) said: "We give
you glad tidings in truth. So be not of the despairing." (55) [Ibrâhim (Abraham)]
said: "And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are
astray?" (56) [Ibrâhim (Abraham) again] said: "What then is the business
on which you have come, O Messengers?" (57) They (the angels)
said: "We have been sent to a people who are Mujrimûn (criminals,
disbelievers, polytheists, sinners). (58) "(All) except
the family of Lut (Lot). Them all we are
surely going to save (from destruction). (59) "Except his wife, of whom We have
decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be
destroyed)." (60) Then, when the Messengers (the angels) came unto the
family of Lut (Lot). (61) He said:
"Verily! You are people unknown to me." (62) They said: "Nay,
we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting. (63) "And we have
brought to you the truth (the news of the destruction of your nation) and
certainly, we tell the truth. (64) "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." (65) And We made known
this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the
early morning. (66) And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing (at the news of
the young men's arrival) (67) [Lut (Lot)]
said: "Verily! these are my guests, so shame me not. (68) "And fear Allâh
and disgrace me not." (69) They (people of the city) said: "Did we
not forbid you to entertaining (or protecting) any of the 'Alamîn (people,
foreigners, strangers from us)?" (70)