AND [likewise,] indeed, We sent unto [the tribe of] Thamud their brother Salih [with this message]: "Worship God alone!" and behold, they were [split into] two factions contending with one another. 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 see you and your followers as an evil omen." He replied, "No, your evil omen is with God; the truth is that you are a people being put to the test." 47 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not. 48 They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.' " 49 And they devised a scheme and, without their knowledge, We devised a scheme. 50 See, then, what the consequences of their plan were. We destroyed them and their people utterly, all together. 51 So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know. 52 We saved the faithful God-fearing believers. 53 Lot asked his people, "Do you understandably commit indecency? 54 Must you go lustfully to men instead of women? Indeed, you are a people who are deeply ignorant." 55 ۞ And the only answer of his people was that they said, 'Expel the folk of Lot from your city; they are men that keep themselves clean!' 56 We therefore rescued him and his family, except his wife; We had decreed that she is of those who will remain behind. 57 And We showered a rain upon them; so what a wretched rain for those who were warned! 58