And certainly We sent to Samood their brother Salih, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became two sects 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 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 family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs]. 48 They said: 'Let us swear by Allah to attack him and his family at night, then we will tell his guardian we were not witnesses of the destruction of his family; and surely we are truthful' 49 And so they devised an evil scheme; but We devised a subtle scheme (of Our own), and they perceived it not. 50 Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. 51 Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge. 52 seeing that We saved those who had attained to faith and were conscious of Us, 53 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? 54 "What! You lustfully go towards men, leaving the women?! In fact, you are an ignorant people." 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 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife: We ordained her to be one of those who stayed behind, 57 and We pelted them with torrential rain. How dreadful that rain was for those who had been warned! 58