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 predict an evil omen from you and those who are with you' He replied: 'Your prediction is with Allah, you are a nation being tested' 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: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.'" 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 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 saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil). 53 And Lut! what time he said unto his people: commit ye indecency while ye see? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 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 So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58