To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 Salih said: "My people, why do you wish to hasten that evil rather than good should come upon you? Why should you not seek pardon from Allah so that mercy be shown to you?" 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 reformed not. 48 They said: "Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'" 49 They hatched up the plot; We also planned without their knowledge. 50 Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. 51 and [now] those dwellings of theirs are empty, [ruined] as an outcome of their evil deeds. In this, behold, there is a message indeed for people of [innate] knowledge 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 Lot asked his people, "Do you understandably commit indecency? 54 What! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act ignorantly. 55 ۞ Therefore the answer of his people was nothing except that they said, “Expel the family of Lut from your township; these people wish purity!” 56 Thereupon We saved him and his household - all but his wife, whom We willed to be among those that stayed behind 57 And We rained down on them a shower (of stones). How ruinous was the rain that fell on those who had been warned (but warned in vain)! 58