We sent to the tribe of Thamud their brother Salih so that they would worship God, but they became two quarrelling groups. 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 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 There were nine tribes in the city spreading evil without any reform in the land. 48 They said, "Let us bind ourselves by an oath sworn in the name of God that we shall attack Salih and his family by night, and to his protector [who demands retribution], we shall say, "We were not present when they were slain. We are telling the truth." 49 So they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not. 50 Behold, then, what all their scheming came to in the end: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them; 51 So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know. 52 And We rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 55 ۞ His people had no answer except saying: "Expel the family of Lot from your city. They are a people who would (rather) be pure!" 56 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58