To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "Serve none but God." But they divided themselves into two factions contending with one another. 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: "We augur ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people that are being tested." 47 There were nine tribes in the city spreading evil without any reform in the land. 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 And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 50 So behold thou how was the end of their plotting: verily We annihilated them and their nation all together. 51 Those are their empty houses which We ruined because of their injustice. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people of knowledge. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were wont to fear. 53 And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you are seeing? 54 What, do you approach men lustfully instead of women? No, you are a people that are 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 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. 57 And We rained on them a rain; and evil indeed is the rain of them that are warned. 58