And assuredly We sent unto the Thamud their brother Saleh saying: worship Allah. Then lo! they became two parties contending. 45 He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?" 46 They said, 'We augur ill of thee and of those that are with thee.' He said, 'Your augury is with God; nay, but you are a people being proved.' 47 And there were nine persons in the city who used to cause turmoil in the land and did not wish reform. 48 They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.' " 49 And they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived it not. 50 Now see the end of their machinations: We destroyed them and their entire people. 51 Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were wont to avoid disobeying (Allah). 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 Must you go lustfully to men instead of women? Indeed, you are a people who are deeply ignorant." 55 ۞ Yet the only answer of his nation was that they said: 'Expel the family of Lot from your village, they are people who purified themselves' 56 We therefore rescued him and his family, except his wife; We had decreed that she is of those who will remain behind. 57 the while We rained a rain [of destruction] upon the others: and dire is such rain upon all who let themselves be warned [to no avail] 58