And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling. 45 He said: O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully? 46 They said, "We see you and your followers as an evil omen." He replied, "No, your evil omen is with God; the truth is that you are a people being put to the test." 47 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright. 48 They said: swear by God one to another that we shall surely fall upon him and his household by night and thereafter we shall surely say unto his heir; we witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are truthtellers. 49 And so they devised an evil scheme; but We devised a subtle scheme (of Our own), and they perceived it not. 50 So see what was the outcome of the plan they made: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them. 51 So these are their houses fallen flat, the recompense of their injustice; indeed in this is 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 And tell of Lot. He said to his people, "Will you commit evil knowingly? 54 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 55 ۞ But his people's only answer was this: "Expel [Lot and] Lot's followers from your township! Verily, they are folk who make themselves out to be pure!" 56 We saved (Lot) and his family except his wife who was destined to remain behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain; ill was the rain upon the warned. 58