The Dead Sea of Jordan
Introduction:
With its high mineral and salt content, the Dead Sea is known as a
place of healing. It is visited by thousands each year seeking spa
treatments, therapies, and relaxation. According to Islamic tradition,
however, it also stands as a sign of God’s punishment.
Location and Features:
The Dead Sea is the lowest surface on Earth, at 400 meters below sea
level. It is located in the Middle East, bordered by Jordan, the West
Bank, and Israel. It is more of a lake than a “sea,” fed by the Jordan
River. The fresh water evaporates, however, leaving a salt concentration
which is seven times stronger than that of the ocean. Beyond tiny
microbes, no life can survive in the water.
The salt and
minerals of the Dead Sea have long been believed to have healing
properties. They are often used in soaps and cosmetics, and several
high-class spas have sprung up along the shores of the Dead Sea to cater
to tourists.
Prophet Lut (Lot):
According to Islamic
and Biblical traditions, the Dead Sea is the site of the ancient city of
Sodom, home of the Prophet Lut (Lot), peace be upon him. The Quran
describes the people of Sodom as ignorant, wicked, evildoers who
rejected God’s call to righteousness. The people were murderers, thiefs,
and openly practiced immoral sexual behavior. Lut perservered in
preaching God’s message, but found that even his own wife was one of the
disbelievers.
Punishment:
God’s severely punished the
people of this region for their wickedness. According to the Quran, the
punishment was to “turn the cities upside down, and rain down on them
brimstones hard as baked clay, spread layer on layer, marked from your
Lord” (Quran 11:82-83). The site of this punishment is now the Dead Sea,
standing as a symbol of destruction.
Visiting the Dead Sea:
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reportedly tried to dissuade
people from visiting the sites of God’s punishment: “Do not enter the
place of those who were unjust to themselves, unless you are weeping,
lest you should suffer the same punishment as was inflicted upon them.”
The Quran describes that the site of this punishment has been left as a
sign for those who follow: “Surely! In this are signs for those who
understand. And verily, they (the cities) are right on the highroad.
Surely! Therein is indeed a sign for the believers.” (Quran 15:75-77)
If one does visit the Dead Sea, it is recommended to spend time
recalling the story of Lut, and how he stood for righteousness among his
people. The Quran says, “And to Lut, too, We gave wisdom and knowledge;
We saved him from the town which practiced abominations. Truly they
were a people given to evil, a rebellious people. And We admitted him to
Our mercy; for he was one of the righteous” (Qur’an 21:74-75).
From the Qur’an :
The Qur’an shares stories which are meant to teach people valuable
lessons. The Qur’an tells the story of the people of Lut (Lot), which is
similar to the story as shared in the Old Testament of the Bible. We
learn of an entire nation which was destroyed by God due to their
obscene behavior, which included rampant homosexuality.
As a
prophet of God, Lut preached to his people. We also sent Lut. He said to
his people: ‘Will you commit lewdness such as no people in creation
ever committed before you? For you come in lust to men in preference to
women. No, you are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds’ (Qur’an
7:80-81). In another verse, Lut advised them: ‘Of all the creatures in
the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has
created for you to be your mates? No, you are a people transgressing
(all limits)!’ (Qur’an 26:165-166). The people rejected Lut and threw
him out of the city. In response, God destroyed them as punishment for
their transgressions and disobedience.
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