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 ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy. 46 They said: "You betoken evil, and those with you." (Saleh) replied: "The evil you presage can only come from God. In reality you are a people under trial (for your own inauspiciousness)." 47 In the city there were nine people who were corrupting the land and did not reform. 48 They said, "Let us bind ourselves by an oath sworn in the name of God that we shall attack Salih and his family by night, and to his protector [who demands retribution], we shall say, "We were not present when they were slain. We are telling the truth." 49 And they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived it not. 50 and behold, how was the end of their device! For We destroyed them and their people all together. 51 So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know. 52 And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah. 53 And Lut! what time he said unto his people: commit ye indecency while ye see? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 55 ۞ But his people's only answer was this: "Expel [Lot and] Lot's followers from your township! Verily, they are folk who make themselves out to be pure!" 56 So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained 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