And certainly We sent to Samood their brother Salih, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became two sects quarrelling with each other. 45 He urged them, "O my people, why do you wish to hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God, so that you may be shown mercy?" 46 They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested." 47 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright. 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 They hatched up the plot; We also planned without their knowledge. 50 We destroyed them and their people altogether. 51 So these are their houses fallen flat, the recompense of their injustice; indeed in this is a sign for people who know. 52 And We rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 And tell of Lot. He said to his people, "Will you commit evil knowingly? 54 Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant! 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 So We saved him and his family, except his wife, whom We decreed should stay behind. 57 And We rained down upon them a rain. It was an evil rain for those who had already been warned. 58