And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling. 45 (Saleh) said: "O people, why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why not ask for God's forgiveness? You may well be forgiven." 46 They said, "We have an ill omen about you and your followers." Salih replied, God has made your ill fortune await you. You are a people on trial." 47 Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right. 48 [and] after having bound one another by an oath in God's name, they said: "Indeed, we shall suddenly fall upon him and his household by night [and slay them all]; and then we shall boldly say to his next of kin, 'We did not witness the destruction of his household - and behold, we are indeed men of truth!'" 49 And so they devised an evil scheme; but We devised a subtle scheme (of Our own), and they perceived it not. 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 saved those who believed in and feared God. 53 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see? 54 Would ye go in lustfully unto men instead of women? Aye! ye are a people addicted to ignorant ways. 55 ۞ The only answer of his people was, "Drive out Lot and his family from the city. They are a people who make themselves out to be pure." 56 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife: We ordained her to be one of those who stayed behind, 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58