Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of baked clay.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
فَجَعَلْنَاfajaʿalnāAnd We made
عَـٰلِيَهَاʿāliyahāits highest (part)
سَافِلَهَاsāfilahāits lowest
وَأَمْطَرْنَاwa-amṭarnāand We rained
عَلَيْهِمْʿalayhimupon them
حِجَارَةًۭḥijāratanstones
مِّنminof
سِجِّيلٍsijjīlinbaked clay
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 74) See the explanation of this verse in Surah Hud (82). The Noble Quran has mentioned three types of punishment upon the people of Lut: first, the punishment of {’’صَيْحَةٌ‘‘} (the shriek) came upon them, then their towns were turned upside down, and finally, a rain of stones was sent down upon them.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
74. 1 It is said that their towns were lifted up from the earth to the sky, and from there they were turned upside down and thrown back onto the earth. In this way, the upper part became the lower part and the lower part became the upper part, turning everything upside down. And it is said that this means merely that the town, along with its roofs, collapsed to the ground.
74. 2 After that, special stones of the kind called khanghar were rained down upon them. In this way, they were subjected to three kinds of punishments and made into a sign of warning.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
74. Then We turned that town upside down and rained upon them stones of baked clay [38].
[38] The Condition of the Destroyed Towns of the People of Lut:
These were a total of four towns in which there were four hundred thousand fighting men, and all of them were immoral and criminals. Jibreel ؑ lifted this entire region of land on his wings, then raised it high into the sky and hurled it down to the earth. Along with this, a tremendous sound of explosion was produced. Even then, Allah's wrath was not appeased, so a rain of stones was sent down upon that same region from above. As a result, this region of land sank 400 kilometers below sea level and water came over it. This very water is the Dead Sea or the Drowned Land of Lut.