To Thamood We sent their brother Salih saying: 'Worship Allah' But they were two parties in dispute with one another. 45 He urged them, "O my people, why do you wish to hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God, so that you may be shown 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 nine tribes in the city spreading evil without any reform in the land. 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 And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan while they perceived not. 50 and behold, how was the end of their device! For We destroyed them and their people all together. 51 Because of their wrongdoing, their houses are in ruins, in that surely there is a sign for people who have knowledge, 52 And We saved those who believed and were cautious. 53 We also sent Lot, and recall when he told his people: "Do you commit shameless acts with your eyes open? 54 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 55 ۞ But the answer of his people was not except that they said, "Expel the family of Lot from your city. Indeed, they are people who keep themselves pure." 56 So We saved him and his family except his wife who was destined to stay behind. 57 And We showered a rain upon them; so what a wretched rain for those who were warned! 58