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 who are with thee. He said: your augury is with Allah. Aye! ye are a people being tested. 47 Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right. 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 So they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not. 50 And behold the consequences of their devising! We destroyed them, and their nation altogether. 51 These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know. 52 And We rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you are seeing? 54 Must you really approach men with lust instead of women? Nay, but you are people without any awareness (of right and wrong)!" 55 ۞ His people had no answer but to say, "Expel Lot and his family from the town for they want to be pure." 56 We saved (Lot) and his family except his wife who was destined to remain behind. 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58