And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (with the Message): "Serve Allah," but all of a sudden they became split into two quarrelling factions. 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 persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not. 48 They said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers. 49 And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme. 50 Then see what was the end of their plot!- this, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them). 51 Those are their empty houses which We ruined because of their injustice. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people of knowledge. 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 “What! You lustfully go towards men, leaving the women?! In fact, you are an ignorant 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 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. 57 And We rained down upon them a rain. It was an evil rain for those who had already been warned. 58