AND WHEN the messengers [of God] came to the house of Lot, 61 He said: "You are people I do not know." 62 They answered: "Nay, but we have come unto thee with [the announcement of] something that they [who are given to evil] have always been wont to call in question, 63 We bring you the truth, and indeed we are truthful. 64 Leave the town with your family sometime during the night. Walk behind them and let no one turn around. Proceed as you are commanded." 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 The people of the town rejoicingly 67 He said: Surely these are my guests, therefore do not disgrace me, 68 And keep your duty to Allah, and shame me not! 69 They said, "Have we not forbidden you from [protecting] people?" 70 Lot exclaimed in exasperation: "If you are bent on doing something, then here are my daughters." 71 By your life, [O Muhammad], indeed they were, in their intoxication, wandering blindly. 72 Then the mighty Blast caught them at sunrise, 73 We turned the town upside-down and showered on them lumps of baked clay. 74 In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the prudent ones. 75 And verily! They (the cities) were right on the highroad (from Makkah to Syria i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now). 76 Most surely there is a sign in this for the believers. 77 The people of the Wood were also surely wrongdoers. 78 So We chastised them. The desolate locations of both communities lie on a well-known highway. 79