To Thamud We sent their brother Salih. He said, "Serve none but God." But they divided themselves into two factions contending with one another. 45 'My nation' he said, 'why do you wish to hasten evil rather than good? Why do you not ask the forgiveness of Allah, in order that you find mercy' 46 They said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are 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: swear by God one to another that we shall surely fall upon him and his household by night and thereafter we shall surely say unto his heir; we witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are truthtellers. 49 And so they devised an evil scheme; but We devised a subtle scheme (of Our own), and they perceived it not. 50 Now see the end of their machinations: We destroyed them and their entire people. 51 Those are their empty houses which We ruined because of their injustice. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people of knowledge. 52 And We delivered those who believed and were godfearing. 53 We also sent Lot, and recall when he told his people: "Do you commit shameless acts with your eyes open? 54 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly." 55 ۞ But his people's only answer was this: "Expel [Lot and] Lot's followers from your township! Verily, they are folk who make themselves out to be pure!" 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 rained upon them a rain; ill was the rain upon the warned. 58