And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling. 45 He said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy. 46 They answered: "We augur evil from thee and those that follow thee!" Said he: "Your destiny, good or evil, rests with God; yea, you are people undergoing a test!" 47 And there were nine of a group in the city, who spread corruption in the land and rectified not. 48 They said, "Let us bind ourselves by an oath sworn in the name of God that we shall attack Salih and his family by night, and to his protector [who demands retribution], we shall say, "We were not present when they were slain. We are telling the truth." 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one. 51 Those are their houses, all fallen down because of the evil they committed; surely in that is a sign for a people who have knowledge. 52 We deliver those who believe and take heed for themselves. 53 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? 54 Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant! 55 ۞ But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean! 56 Then We delivered him and his household save his wife: We destined her to be of the lingerers. 57 And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58