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 do you hasten upon the evil before the good? Why do you not seek forgiveness from Allah? Perhaps there may be mercy upon you.” 46 They said, "We have an ill omen about you and your followers." Salih replied, God has made your ill fortune await you. You are a people on 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 a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'" 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 So behold thou how was the end of their plotting: verily We annihilated 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 fear Allah. 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 Must you go lustfully to men instead of women? Indeed, you are a people who are deeply ignorant." 55 ۞ But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and 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