And assuredly We sent unto the Thamud their brother Saleh saying: worship Allah. Then lo! they became two parties contending. 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 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 And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform. 48 they said, 'Swear you, one to another, by God, "We will attack him and his family by night, then we will tell his protector, We were not witnesses of the destruction of his family; and assuredly we are truthful men."' 49 And they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived it not. 50 See, then, how was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them). 51 So these their habitations lie deserted now because of their iniquities. Verily there is a sign in this for those who understand. 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 really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant! 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 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 down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58