سُوْرَةُ النَّمْلِ

Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 56

The Ant · Meccan · Juz 20 · Page 382

۞ فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓا۟ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ ءَالَ لُوطٍ مِّن قَرْيَتِكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ أُنَاسٌ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ ﴿56﴾
There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lût (Lot) from your city Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!"
۞ فَمَا famā But not
كَانَ kāna was
جَوَابَ jawāba (the) answer
قَوْمِهِۦٓ qawmihi (of) his people
إِلَّآ illā except
أَن an that
قَالُوٓا۟ qālū they said
أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ akhrijū Drive out
ءَالَ āla (the) family
لُوطٍۢ lūṭin (of) Lut
مِّن min from
قَرْيَتِكُمْ ۖ qaryatikum your town
إِنَّهُمْ innahum Indeed, they
أُنَاسٌۭ unāsun (are) people
يَتَطَهَّرُونَ yataṭahharūna who keep clean and pure

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 56) {فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهٖۤ …:} The only response the people had to the best advice of Lut (peace be upon him) was ignorance, and they proved that what Lut (peace be upon him) was calling them {’’ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُوْنَ ‘‘} was indeed correct. Thus, they replied to such a serious matter with mockery and ridicule, which is the behavior of the ignorant, as Musa (peace be upon him) said: «{ اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰهِ اَنْ اَكُوْنَ مِنَ الْجٰهِلِيْنَ [ البقرۃ : ۶۷ ] "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant." See also Surah Al-A'raf (82).

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.

56-1. It was said as sarcasm and mockery.

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.

56. So his people had no answer except to say: "Expel Lot and his followers from your city! They are people who want to remain pure [55]."

[55]
The Threat of Expulsion from the Town: Instead of reforming themselves in response to the advice of Prophet Lutؑ, they resorted to lowly tactics. They mockingly taunted Lutؑ and his followers for their purity. Then they began to threaten to expel them from their city, saying, "How can people as pure as you live among us filthy people? Therefore, your well-being lies in leaving this place."