We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 45 Said [Salih to the erring ones]: Why do you seek to hasten the coming upon you of evil instead of hoping for the good?" Why do you not, rather, ask God to forgive you your sins, so that you might be graced with His mercy?" 46 They said, 'We augur ill of thee and of those that are with thee.' He said, 'Your augury is with God; nay, but you are a people being proved.' 47 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright. 48 [and] after having bound one another by an oath in God's name, they said: "Indeed, we shall suddenly fall upon him and his household by night [and slay them all]; and then we shall boldly say to his next of kin, 'We did not witness the destruction of his household - and behold, we are indeed men of truth!'" 49 They plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not. 50 See, then, what the consequences of their plan were. We destroyed them and their people utterly, all together. 51 Those are their houses, all are in ruins because of the evil they committed; surely in this there is a sign for nation who know. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were godfearing. 53 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving 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 his wife, whom We decreed should stay behind. 57 And We rained on them a rain; and evil indeed is the rain of them that are warned. 58