To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "Serve none but God." But they divided themselves into two factions contending with one another. 45 He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?" 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 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 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 And behold the consequences of their devising! We destroyed them, and their nation altogether. 51 Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing. Verily there is a Sign in this for the people who know. 52 And We rescued those who accepted faith and used to fear. 53 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see? 54 Do you lustfully approach men instead of women? Nay, you engage in acts of sheer ignorance." 55 ۞ Yet the only answer of his nation was that they said: 'Expel the family of Lot from your village, they are people who purified themselves' 56 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife; We decreed she should be of those that tarried. 57 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned. 58