We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 45 He said: O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully? 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 Now in the city there were nine persons who did corruption in the land, and put not things right; 48 They said, "Let us swear by God to do away with him and his family during the night then tell his guardian that we did not see how he and his family had been destroyed, and we shall be telling the truth." 49 And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme. 50 And behold the consequences of their devising! We destroyed them, and their nation altogether. 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 saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil). 53 And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, “What! You stoop to the shameful whereas you can see?” 54 You lust after men in place of women. You are indeed a stolid people." 55 ۞ But this had only one answer from his people. They said: "Expel Lot's folk from your city. They pretend to be absolutely clean." 56 So We saved him and his family, except his wife, whom We decreed should stay behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58