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 said: "O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy. 46 They said: We have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who are tried. 47 Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right. 48 They said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers. 49 So they devised a scheme, and We made our secret plan, and they remained neglectful. 50 and behold, how was the end of their device! For We destroyed them and their people all together. 51 See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness. 53 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? 54 Do you have carnal relations with men rather than women? You are ignorant people". 55 ۞ His people had no answer but to say, "Expel Lot and his family from the town for they want to be pure." 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 on them a rain (of stones); indeed it is an evil rain that rains on those that are warned. 58