To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 He said, “O my people, why do you hasten upon the evil before the good? Why do you not seek forgiveness from Allah? Perhaps there may be mercy upon you.” 46 They said, "We have an ill omen about you and your followers." Salih replied, God has made your ill fortune await you. You are a people on trial." 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: "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 Thus they planned and We too planned, the while they did not know. 50 Therefore see what was the result of their scheming – We destroyed them and their entire nation. 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 rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 55 ۞ His people had no answer except saying: "Expel the family of Lot from your city. They are a people who would (rather) be pure!" 56 Then We delivered him and his household save his wife: We destined her to be of the lingerers. 57 And We rained upon them a rain; ill was the rain upon the warned. 58