We sent to Thamud their brother Saleh (who said): "Worship God." But they were divided into two groups disputing with one another. 45 Salih said: "My people, why do you wish to hasten that evil rather than good should come upon you? Why should you not seek pardon from Allah so that mercy be shown to you?" 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 Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right. 48 Swearing by Allah they said to one another, “We will indeed attack him and his family at night, and then say to his heir, ‘We were not present at the time of slaying of this household, and indeed we are truthful.’” 49 So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. 50 Behold, then, what all their scheming came to in the end: We utterly 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 saved those who believed and were cautious. 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 in your lusts rather than women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly." 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 Eventually We saved (Lot) and his family, except his wife. We had decreed that she should be among those who would remain behind. 57 and We pelted them with torrential rain. How dreadful that rain was for those who had been warned! 58