We sent to the tribe of Thamud their brother Salih so that they would worship God, but they became two quarrelling groups. 45 He said: O my people! wherefore seek ye to hasten the evil before the good? Wherefore ask ye not forgiveness of Allah, that haply ye may be shewn mercy. 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 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not. 48 They said: Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful. 49 They plotted and We planned without their knowledge. Consider the result of their plot. 50 So see what was the outcome of the plan they made: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them. 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 (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? 54 What, do you approach men lustfully instead of women? No, you are a people that are ignorant.' 55 ۞ His people had no answer except saying: "Expel the family of Lot from your city. They are a people who would (rather) be pure!" 56 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife: We ordained her to be one of those who stayed 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