To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 Salih said: "My people, why do you wish to hasten that evil rather than good should come upon you? Why should you not seek pardon from Allah so that mercy be shown to you?" 46 They said: "We augur ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people that are being tested." 47 And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would 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 So they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not. 50 and behold, how was the end of their device! For We destroyed them and their people all together. 51 These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know. 52 And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him. 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 Must you really approach men with lust instead of women? Nay, but you are people without any awareness (of right and wrong)!" 55 ۞ His people had no answer but to say, "Expel Lot and his family from the town for they want to be pure." 56 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife; We decreed she should be of those that tarried. 57 And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)! 58