Tafseer of Those drawn up in Ranks · As-Saaffaat · 37:135
Except his wife among those who remained [with the evildoers].
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
إِلا عَجُوزًا فِي الْغَابِرِينَ ("except an old woman among those who remained behind") — He says: except an old woman among those who stayed behind, and that is the wife of Lot. We have already mentioned her account previously, as well as the disagreement of those who differed concerning the meaning of His word فِي الْغَابِرِينَ ("among those who remained behind"), and the correct position regarding it according to us.
It was related to me on the authority of al-Musayyib ibn Sharīk, on the authority of Abū Rawq, on the authority of al-Ḍaḥḥāk: إِلا عَجُوزًا فِي الْغَابِرِينَ — He says: except his wife; she remained behind and was turned into a stone; she was called Hayshafaʿ.
Muḥammad related to us, saying: Aḥmad related to us, saying: Asbāṭ related to us, on the authority of al-Suddī, concerning His word إِلا عَجُوزًا فِي الْغَابِرِينَ , he said: the one who perished (was destroyed).
