There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. 69 And when he saw their hands not reaching towards it, he thought they were pretending and inwardly started fearing them; they said, “Do not be afraid – we are sent to the people of Lut.” 70 His wife, who was standing nearby, laughed when We gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob. 71 She said, "Alas! Shall I bear a child in this old age, while my husband here is also old? This is indeed a strange thing!" 72 They replied, "Would you be surprised at God's decree? People of the house, may God's mercy and blessings be with you. God is Appreciative and Glorious." 73 And when Ibrahim’s fear abated and the glad tidings reached him, he argued with Us regarding the people of Lut. 74 Abraham was kind, compassionate, and penitent. 75 Thereupon (Our angels) said to him: 'O Abraham! Desist from this, for indeed your Lord's command has come; and a chastisement which cannot be averted is about to befall them.' words literally suggest; the purpose is merely to express a sense of wonder. 76 And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was troubled on their account and distressed for them, and he said, 'This is a fierce day.' 77 And his people came to him rushing. Before this they were wont to commit evil deeds. Lot said: 'My people! Here are my daughters; they are purer for you. Have fear of Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not even one right-minded person in your midst?' 78 They answered: "Thou hast always known that we have no use whatever for thy daughters; and verily, well dost thou know what we want!" 79 He said, "Would that I had the power (to overcome you) or could seek strong protection." 80 They said, 'Lot, we are messengers of thy Lord. They shall not reach thee; so set forth, thou with thy family, in a watch of the night, and let not any one of you turn round, excepting thy wife; surely she shall be smitten by that which smites them. Their promised time is the morning; is the morning not nigh?' 81 So when Our command came, We made the highest part [of the city] its lowest and rained upon them stones of layered hard clay, [which were] 82 marked out in thy Sustainer's sight [for the punishment of such as are lost in sin]. And these [blows of God-willed doom] are never far from evildoers 83