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 Salih said, "My people, why do you commit sins so quickly before doing good? Would that you ask forgiveness from God so that perhaps He will have mercy upon you." 46 They answered: "We augur evil from thee and those that follow thee!" Said he: "Your destiny, good or evil, rests with God; yea, you are people undergoing a test!" 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 to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful. 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one. 51 Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing. Verily there is a Sign in this for the people who know. 52 We saved the faithful God-fearing believers. 53 AND [thus, too, did We save] Lot, when he said unto his people: "Would you commit this abomination with your eyes open (to its being against all nature)? 54 Must you go lustfully to men instead of women? Indeed, you are a people who are deeply ignorant." 55 ۞ But the answer of his people was no other except that they said: Turn out Lut's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure! 56 But We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind. 57 And We rained down upon them a rain. It was an evil rain for those who had already been warned. 58