We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 45 'My nation' he said, 'why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why do you not ask the forgiveness of Allah, in order that you find mercy' 46 They answered: "We augur evil from thee and those that follow thee!" Said he: "Your destiny, good or evil, rests with God; yea, you are people undergoing a test!" 47 There were in the city nine men who spread corruption in the land, and would not reform. 48 They said: "Swear to one another in the name of Allah that we shall make a sudden night swoop on Salih and his family and will then tell their heirs that we did not witness the destruction of his family. We are indeed truthful." 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 Now see the end of their machinations: We destroyed them and their entire people. 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 practised righteousness. 53 AND [thus, too, did We save] Lot, when he said unto his people: "Would you commit this abomination with your eyes open (to its being against all nature)? 54 “What! You lustfully go towards men, leaving the women?! In fact, you are an ignorant people.” 55 ۞ But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean! 56 But We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain; ill was the rain upon the warned. 58