We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 45 He said: O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully? 46 They said: "We augur ill of you and those who are with you." Salih replied: "Your augury is with Allah. The truth is that you are a people who are being tried." 47 And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs]. 48 [and] after having bound one another by an oath in God's name, they said: "Indeed, we shall suddenly fall upon him and his household by night [and slay them all]; and then we shall boldly say to his next of kin, 'We did not witness the destruction of his household - and behold, we are indeed men of truth!'" 49 And they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived it not. 50 Now see the end of their machinations: We destroyed them and their entire people. 51 So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know. 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 (Remember) Lot, when he said to his people: "Why do you indulge in obscenities when you know (it is evil)? 54 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 55 ۞ But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" 56 Thereupon We saved him and his household - all but his wife, whom We willed to be among those that stayed behind 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58