And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling. 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 omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people that are being tested." 47 Now there were in the city nine men who were wont to commit deeds of depravity all over the land, and would not reform; 48 They said: "Swear to one another in the name of Allah that we shall make a sudden night swoop on Salih and his family and will then tell their heirs that we did not witness the destruction of his family. We are indeed truthful." 49 And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme. 50 We destroyed them and their people altogether. 51 Those are their houses, all fallen down because of the evil they committed; surely in that is a sign for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 Lot asked his people, "Do you understandably commit indecency? 54 Do you lustfully approach men instead of women? Nay, you engage in acts of sheer ignorance." 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 saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained 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