To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 (Saleh) said: "O people, why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why not ask for God's forgiveness? You may well be forgiven." 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 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright. 48 They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.' " 49 So they devised a scheme, and We made our secret plan, and they remained neglectful. 50 See, then, how was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them). 51 So these their habitations lie deserted now because of their iniquities. Verily there is a sign in this for those who understand. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were wont to fear. 53 (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? 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 delivered him and his household save his wife: We destined her to be of the lingerers. 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58