To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "Serve none but God." But they divided themselves into two factions contending with one another. 45 He said: "O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy. 46 They said: We have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who are tried. 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, "Let us swear by God to do away with him and his family during the night then tell his guardian that we did not see how he and his family had been destroyed, and we shall be telling the truth." 49 So they devised a scheme, and We made our secret plan, and they remained neglectful. 50 Now see the end of their machinations: We destroyed them and their entire people. 51 Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge. 52 And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him. 53 We also sent Lot, and recall when he told his people: "Do you commit shameless acts with your eyes open? 54 You lust after men in place of women. You are indeed a stolid people." 55 ۞ And the only answer of his people was that they said, 'Expel the folk of Lot from your city; they are men that keep themselves clean!' 56 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife: We ordained her to be one of those who stayed behind, 57 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned. 58