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 the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?" 46 They said, "We see you and your followers as an evil omen." He replied, "No, your evil omen is with God; the truth is that you are a people being put to the test." 47 And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs]. 48 They said: swear by God one to another that we shall surely fall upon him and his household by night and thereafter we shall surely say unto his heir; we witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are truthtellers. 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. 51 So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know. 52 And We rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 And Lut! what time he said unto his people: commit ye indecency while ye see? 54 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 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 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife; We decreed she should be of those that tarried. 57 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned. 58