To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 Salih said: "My people, why do you wish to hasten that evil rather than good should come upon you? Why should you not seek pardon from Allah so that mercy be shown to you?" 46 They said: "You betoken evil, and those with you." (Saleh) replied: "The evil you presage can only come from God. In reality you are a people under trial (for your own inauspiciousness)." 47 There were in the city nine men who spread corruption in the land, and would not 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 Thus they devised a plan, and We also devised a plan, but they were not aware of it. 50 So behold thou how was the end of their plotting: verily We annihilated them and their nation all together. 51 See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 Must you really approach men with lust instead of women? Nay, but you are people without any awareness (of right and wrong)!" 55 ۞ But the answer of his people was no other except that they said: Turn out Lut's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure! 56 Thereupon We saved him and his household - all but his wife, whom We willed to be among those that stayed behind 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58