Nabi Loot (alaihis salaam) was amongst those personalities who were divinely selected to receive prophethood and guide their nations to Allah Ta’ala. He was sent to a people who had become void of all natural and instinctive tendencies. They refused to take heed to the repeated calls of guidance given to them by Nabi Loot (alaihis salaam) and their depraved behaviour was worse than that of even animals. They became inhuman, losing all moral values. Nabi Loot (alaihis salaam) continued to advise them for a long time. Eventually when they transgressed all limits, they “invited” such a punishment which was to be as severe as their crime.
Hence Nabi Loot (alaihis salaam) was instructed to leave his village along with his family members after nightfall, for by morning a severe punishment was to befall them. They were all commanded not to look back even once when the punishment has commenced, so as not to show any pity or inclination towards the evildoers. Everyone complied with this command, except his wife. As soon as the punishment commenced and she began to hear the painful cries of her people, she turned around and exclaimed with grief and sorrow: “O my People!” Hence she was also destroyed along with the others in that very punishment. (Roohul Ma’aani vol. 6, pg. 306)
Lesson: If merely being inclined to those who are sinful is such a severe act, what will be the effect and result of casually associating with people involved in sin? This brings destruction in this world and the next.
Indeed, one should pity the sinful in that they are heading towards hell. Hence one should make du’aa for them and make an effort to bring them onto the right path.