77 Preface وَلَمّا جاءَت رُسُلُنا لوطًا سيءَ بِهِم وَضاقَ بِهِم ذَرعًا وَقالَ هٰذا يَومٌ عَصيبٌYusuf AliWhen Our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: “This is a distressful day.”1The story of Lot, as referred to in 7:80-84, laid emphasis on the rejection of Lot’s mission by men who practised unnatural abominations. See n. 1049 to 7:80. Here the emphasis is laid on God’s dealings with men-in mercy for true spiritual service and in righteous wrath and punishment for those who defy the laws of nature established by Him; also, on men’s dealings with each other and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked who respect no laws human or divine,###