To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 He said, “O my people, why do you hasten upon the evil before the good? Why do you not seek forgiveness from Allah? Perhaps there may be mercy upon you.” 46 They said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested. 47 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed 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 planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not. 50 Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all. 51 Because of their wrongdoing, their houses are in ruins, in that surely there is a sign for people who have knowledge, 52 We deliver those who believe and take heed for themselves. 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 What! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act ignorantly. 55 ۞ But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" 56 So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind. 57 And We rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned. 58