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 seek to hasten evil before good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God? Haply so you will find mercy.' 46 They said: We have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who are tried. 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 And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 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 We deliver those who believe and take heed for themselves. 53 Lot asked his people, "Do you understandably commit indecency? 54 Do you have carnal relations with men rather than women? You are ignorant people". 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 upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58