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 (Saleh) said: "O people, why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why not ask for God's forgiveness? You may well be forgiven." 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 There were in that city nine persons who spread disorder in the land, and did not reform. 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 And they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived it not. 50 Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all. 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 seeing that We saved those who had attained to faith and were conscious of Us, 53 Lot asked his people, "Do you understandably commit indecency? 54 Must you really approach men with lust instead of women? Nay, but you are people without any awareness (of right and wrong)!" 55 ۞ There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lout (Lot) from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!" 56 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife: We ordained her to be one of those who stayed behind, 57 And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58