And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (with the Message): "Serve Allah," but all of a sudden they became split into two quarrelling factions. 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 said, 'We augur ill of thee and of those that are with thee.' He said, 'Your augury is with God; nay, but you are a people being proved.' 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 that we will attack Saleh and his family at night, and later tell his heirs: 'We did not see his family destroyed, and we speak the truth.'" 49 And they plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived it not. 50 See, then, what the consequences of their plan were. We destroyed them and their people utterly, all together. 51 Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing. Verily there is a Sign in this for the people who know. 52 seeing that We saved those who had attained to faith and were conscious of Us, 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 Do you approach men lustfully instead of women! No, you are an ignorant nation' 55 ۞ Yet the only answer of his nation was that they said: 'Expel the family of Lot from your village, they are people who purified themselves' 56 We saved (Lot) and his family except his wife who was destined to remain behind. 57 And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned. 58