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 see you and your followers as an evil omen." He replied, "No, your evil omen is with God; the truth is that you are a people being put to the test." 47 There were in that city nine persons who spread disorder in the land, and did not reform. 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 And they devised a device, and We likewise devised a device, while they were not aware; 50 See, then, what the consequences of their plan were. We destroyed them and their people utterly, all together. 51 and [now] those dwellings of theirs are empty, [ruined] as an outcome of their evil deeds. In this, behold, there is a message indeed for people of [innate] knowledge 52 seeing that We saved those who had attained to faith and were conscious of Us, 53 And Lot, he said to his nation: 'Do you commit indecencies with your eyes open! 54 What, do you approach men lustfully instead of women? No, you are a people that are ignorant.' 55 ۞ Then there was no answer of his people save that they said: drive forth the family of Lut from your City, verily they are a people who would be 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 a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned. 58