And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (with the Message): "Serve Allah," but all of a sudden they became split into two quarrelling factions. 45 'My nation' he said, 'why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why do you not ask the forgiveness of Allah, in order that you find 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 There were in the city nine men who spread corruption in the land, and would not reform. 48 They said: Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful. 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one. 51 So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know. 52 And We delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil). 53 AND [thus, too, did We save] Lot, when he said unto his people: "Would you commit this abomination with your eyes open (to its being against all nature)? 54 You lust after men in place of women. You are indeed a stolid people." 55 ۞ But the answer of his people was no other except that they said: Turn out Lut's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure! 56 But We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind. 57 And we rained on them a rain (of stones); indeed it is an evil rain that rains on those that are warned. 58