We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 45 He urged them, "O my people, why do you wish to hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God, so that you may be shown mercy?" 46 They said: we augur ill of thee and of those who are with thee. He said: your augury is with Allah. Aye! ye are a people being tested. 47 There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would 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 So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 50 So see what was the outcome of the plan they made: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them. 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 in and feared God. 53 AND [thus, too, did We save] Lot, when he said unto his people: "Would you commit this abomination with your eyes open (to its being against all nature)? 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 delivered him and his family, except his wife: We ordained her to be one of those who stayed behind, 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58