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 And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs]. 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 And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme. 50 We destroyed them and their people altogether. 51 So yonder are their houses overturned, for they did wrong. Verily, herein is a sign unto a people who know. 52 seeing that We saved those who had attained to faith and were conscious of Us, 53 And Lot, he said to his nation: 'Do you commit indecencies with your eyes open! 54 Do you lustfully approach men instead of women? Nay, you engage in acts of sheer ignorance." 55 ۞ But his people's only answer was this: "Expel [Lot and] Lot's followers from your township! Verily, they are folk who make themselves out to be pure!" 56 Then We saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who stayed behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58