Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · At-Tahrim 66:10

The wives of Nuh and Lut

مثل امرأة نوح وامرأة لوط

Being married to a prophet did not save two wives who did not share his faith.

Quran

What it means

For those who disbelieve, Allah strikes the parable of the wives of Nuh and Lut: they were married to two of His righteous servants, betrayed them, and their husbands could not avail them at all against Allah (66:10).

As-Sa'di explains that the betrayal was in religion, for they did not follow their husbands' faith; it was not betrayal of the marriage bed, for no prophet's wife ever committed indecency. The lesson is that a disbeliever's closeness to a believer does not benefit him, and he notes in it a warning to the Prophet's ﷺ own wives against disobedience.

Evidence

QuranAt-Tahrim (The Prohibition)Quran 66:10

ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱمْرَأَتَ نُوحٍ وَٱمْرَأَتَ لُوطٍ ۖ كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَـٰلِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتَاهُمَا فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا وَقِيلَ ٱدْخُلَا ٱلنَّارَ مَعَ ٱلدَّٰخِلِينَ ١٠

Allāh presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them,[1710] so they [i.e., those prophets] did not avail them from Allāh at all, and it was said, "Enter the Fire with those who enter."

Translator's notes

[1710] In the matter of religion.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

10. Allâh sets forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Nûh (Noah) and the wife of Lût (Lot). They were under two of our righteous slaves, but they both betrayed them (their husbands by rejecting their doctrine). So they [Nûh (Noah) and Lût (Lot) عليهما السلام] availed them (their respective wives) not against Allâh and it was said: "Enter the Fire along with those who enter!"

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