We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 45 He said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive 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 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 They said: Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful. 49 So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 50 We destroyed them and their people altogether. 51 Those are their empty houses which We ruined because of their injustice. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people of knowledge. 52 seeing that We saved those who had attained to faith and were conscious of Us, 53 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see? 54 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 55 ۞ And the only answer of his people was that they said, 'Expel the folk of Lot from your city; they are men that keep themselves clean!' 56 So We saved him and his family except his wife who was destined to stay behind. 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58