To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "Serve none but God." But they divided themselves into two factions contending with one another. 45 He said, 'O my people, why do you seek to hasten evil before good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God? Haply so you will find mercy.' 46 They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested." 47 There were nine tribes in the city spreading evil without any reform in the land. 48 They said: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.'" 49 Thus they planned and We too planned, the while they did not know. 50 Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all. 51 See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were wont to avoid disobeying (Allah). 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 Must you go lustfully to men instead of women? Indeed, you are a people who are deeply ignorant." 55 ۞ Yet the only answer of his nation was that they said: 'Expel the family of Lot from your village, they are people who purified themselves' 56 So We saved him and his family, except his wife, whom We decreed should stay behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58