AND [likewise,] indeed, We sent unto [the tribe of] Thamud their brother Salih [with this message]: "Worship God alone!" and behold, they were [split into] two factions contending with one another. 45 He said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy. 46 They answered: "We augur evil from thee and those that follow thee!" Said he: "Your destiny, good or evil, rests with God; yea, you are people undergoing a test!" 47 There were in that city nine persons who spread disorder in the land, and did 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 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one. 51 So these are their houses fallen flat, the recompense of their injustice; indeed in this is a sign for people who know. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were godfearing. 53 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? 54 Would ye go in lustfully unto men instead of women? Aye! ye are a people addicted to ignorant ways. 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 Then We saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who stayed behind. 57 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned. 58