Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If I (Muhammad, peace be upon him) had stayed in prison for as long as Yusuf (peace be upon him) stayed, and a messenger had come to call me, I would have (immediately) accepted his word. And when the messenger came to him, he said: «ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَاسْأَلْهُ مَا بَالُ النِّسْوَةِ اللَّاتِي قَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ إِنَّ رَبِّي بِكَيْدِهِنَّ عَلِيمٌ» 'Ask him, what is the real story of those women who cut their hands? Surely my Lord is aware of their plot.' (12-Yusuf:50) And may Allah have mercy on Lut (peace be upon him), he wished to take refuge in some strong support. When he said to his people: «لَوْ أَنَّ لِي بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ آوِي إِلَى رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ» 'If only I had strength to resist you or could take refuge in some mighty support.' (11-Hud:80) So after them, whenever Allah sent a prophet, He sent him among a large group of his people."