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Quran 11:81
I do not think the statement that this verse means they were simply being warned not to turn around and look behind because of the explosions, noises, or cries of the people is justified by the wording of Qur’an 11:81 itself.
The Arabic phrase وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَكَ contains an explicit exception referring to Lot’s wife. The wording can be understood as: “And let not look back for among you for anyone except your wife.” Therefore, the verse itself specifically distinguishes Lot’s wife from the believers.
Moreover, the very next statement says that what strikes them will strike her. This makes the context about her being among those destined to suffer the punishment, rather than merely warning her against turning around to observe what was happening.
Therefore, the explanation that the phrase simply means “do not look back because the sounds of destruction might attract you or cause you to lag behind” appears to add a reason that is not explicitly stated in the verse. The more immediate textual question is why Lot’s wife is specifically made an exception if the instruction is merely about physically turning around and looking back.
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