AND [likewise,] indeed, We sent unto [the tribe of] Thamud their brother Salih [with this message]: "Worship God alone!" and behold, they were [split into] two factions contending with one another. 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 predict an evil omen from you and those who are with you' He replied: 'Your prediction is with Allah, you are a nation 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, "Let us swear by God to do away with him and his family during the night then tell his guardian that we did not see how he and his family had been destroyed, and we shall be telling the truth." 49 And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme. 50 Therefore see what was the result of their scheming – We destroyed them and their entire nation. 51 Those are their houses, all are in ruins because of the evil they committed; surely in this there is a sign for nation who know. 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? 54 You lust after men in place of women. You are indeed a stolid people." 55 ۞ Yet the only answer of his nation was that they said: 'Expel the family of Lot from your village, they are people who purified themselves' 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