And indeed We sent to the Thamud, their fellowman Saleh that, “Worship Allah”, thereupon they became two parties quarrelling. 45 Said [Salih to the erring ones]: Why do you seek to hasten the coming upon you of evil instead of hoping for the good?" Why do you not, rather, ask God to forgive you your sins, so that you might be graced with His mercy?" 46 They said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested. 47 There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform. 48 They said: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.'" 49 Thus they planned and We too planned, the while they did not know. 50 See, then, what the consequences of their plan were. We destroyed them and their people utterly, all together. 51 Those are their houses, all fallen down because of the evil they committed; surely in that is a sign for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were godfearing. 53 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see? 54 Must ye needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly. 55 ۞ But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean! 56 So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind. 57 And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58