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! wherefore seek ye to hasten the evil before the good? Wherefore ask ye not forgiveness of Allah, that haply ye may be shewn 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 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 So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 50 Therefore see what was the result of their scheming – We destroyed them and their entire nation. 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 delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil). 53 (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? 54 You lust after men in place of women. You are indeed a stolid people." 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 rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58