To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 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 said: we augur ill of thee and of those who are with thee. He said: your augury is with Allah. Aye! ye are a people being tested. 47 Now in the city there were nine persons who did corruption in the land, and put not things right; 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 Therefore see what was the result of their scheming – We destroyed them and their entire nation. 51 Those are their houses, all fallen down because of the evil they committed; surely in that is a sign for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 Lot asked his people, "Do you understandably commit indecency? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 55 ۞ But this had only one answer from his people. They said: "Expel Lot's folk from your city. They pretend to be absolutely clean." 56 We therefore rescued him and his family, except his wife; We had decreed that she is of those who will remain behind. 57 the while We rained a rain [of destruction] upon the others: and dire is such rain upon all who let themselves be warned [to no avail] 58