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 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 evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested. 47 There were in that city nine persons who spread disorder in the land, and did not reform. 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 Thus they devised a plan, and We also devised a plan, but they were not aware of it. 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 saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil). 53 And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you are seeing? 54 Do you lustfully approach men instead of women? Nay, you engage in acts of sheer ignorance." 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 Then We saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who stayed behind. 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58