And certainly We sent to Samood their brother Salih, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became two sects quarrelling with each other. 45 Said [Salih to the erring ones]: Why do you seek to hasten the coming upon you of evil instead of hoping for the good?" Why do you not, rather, ask God to forgive you your sins, so that you might be graced with His mercy?" 46 They said, “We consider you an evil omen, and your companions”; he said, “Your evil omen is with Allah – in fact you people have fallen into trial.” 47 There were in that city nine persons who spread disorder in the land, and did not reform. 48 They said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers. 49 Thus they devised a plan, and We also devised a plan, but they were not aware of it. 50 Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. 51 So these their habitations lie deserted now because of their iniquities. Verily there is a sign in this for those who understand. 52 And we saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil). 53 (Remember) Lot, when he said to his people: "Why do you indulge in obscenities when you know (it is evil)? 54 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 55 ۞ Then there was no answer of his people save that they said: drive forth the family of Lut from your City, verily they are a people who would be pure! 56 So We saved him and his family, except his wife, whom We decreed should stay behind. 57 And We rained down on them a shower (of stones). How ruinous was the rain that fell on those who had been warned (but warned in vain)! 58