Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 17 Surah al-Qamar, Verses 33 - 55 Surah al-Qamar - Verses 33-35 كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ بِالنُّذُرِ إِنَّا أرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حَاصِبًا إِلاّ آلَ لُوطٍ نَّجَّيْنَاهُم بِسَحَرٍ نِعْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي مَن شَكَرَ 33. The people of Lot (as) belied the Warnings. 34.
Indeed, We sent against them a violent gale along with stones, except the family of Lot (as), them We saved in the last hour of the night, 35. The rescue was a Favor from Us. Thus We reward him who gives thanks. The second blessed Verse in question is saying that the people of Lot (as) denied their Prophet's (as) Prophetic Call and Revelation; as a consequence of which Divine Torment was sent down upon them in the form of a harsh gale pouring down stones over them.
The Arabic word hasib is employed in the sense of violent gale moving sand and stones. All the people of Prophet Lot (as) perished by that harsh gale with the exception of the family of Prophet Lot (as) who were rescued at dawn. The third blessed Verse is saying that the deliverance of the family of Prophet Lot (as) was a Divine Favor. The blessed Verse closes by saying that God Almighty thus rewards those who are thankful.
It is a reference to the fact that one who does not disobey God Almighty as a token of gratitude for His Favors and Bounties, but obeys Divine Commands and His Messengers, will find Divine Support and Assistance at all times in the face of hardships and vicissitudes in this world and the Hereafter. Surah al-Qamar - Verse 36 وَلَقَدْ أنذَرَهُم بَطْشَتَنَا فَتَمَارَوْا بِالنُّذُرِ 36. And Lot (as) indeed had warned them of Our Wrath, but they were engaged in disputes regarding Our Warnings!
Prophet Lot (as) strove to warn his people of Divine Torment, but they entertained doubts regarding his Prophetic Call and Divine Revelation and ignored warnings and persisted in committing their vicious deeds until they were afflicted by Divine Torment. Surah al-Qamar - Verses 37-39 وَلَقَدْ رَاوَدُوهُ عَن ضَيْفِهِ فَطَمَسْنَا أعْيُنَهُمْ فَذُوقُوا عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ وَلَقَدْ صَبَّحَهُم بُكْرَةً عَذَابٌ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ فَذُوقُوا عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ 37.
And they indeed sought to shame his guests through conversing with each other. Therefore, We blinded their eyes. Then taste My Torment and My Warnings." 38. And indeed an abiding torment seized them early in the morning. 39.