We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. 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 augur ill of thee and of those who are with thee. He said: your augury is with Allah. Aye! ye are a people being tested. 47 Now there were in the city nine men who were wont to commit deeds of depravity all over the land, and would not reform; 48 They said: 'Let us swear by Allah to attack him and his family at night, then we will tell his guardian we were not witnesses of the destruction of his family; and surely we are truthful' 49 And so they devised an evil scheme; but We devised a subtle scheme (of Our own), and they perceived it not. 50 Therefore see what was the result of their scheming – We destroyed them and their entire nation. 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 used to fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him. 53 And Lot, he said to his nation: 'Do you commit indecencies with your eyes open! 54 Must ye needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly. 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 So We delivered him and his family, except his wife; We decreed she should be of those that tarried. 57 And We rained upon them a rain; ill was the rain upon the warned. 58