An-Naml 27:48

<h2>The Plot of the Mischief-Makers and the End of the People of Thamud</h2><p>Allah tells us about the evildoers of Thamud and their leaders who used to call their people to misguidance and disbelief, and to deny Salih. Eventually they killed the she-camel and were about to kill Salih too. They plotted to let him sleep with his family at night, then they would assassinate him and tell his relatives that they knew nothing about what happened to him, and that they were telling the truth because none of them had seen anything. Allah says:</p><div class="arabic uthmani">وَكَانَ فِى الْمَدِينَةِ</div><p>(And there were in the city) meaning, in the city of Thamud,</p><div class="arabic uthmani">تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍ</div><p>(nine Raht,) meaning, nine people,</p><div class="arabic uthmani">يُفْسِدُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ وَلاَ يُصْلِحُونَ</div><p>(who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.) They forced their opinions on the people of Thamud, because they were the leaders and chiefs. Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "These were the people who killed the she-camel," Meaning, that happened upon their instigation, may Allah curse them. Allah says:</p><div class="arabic uthmani">فَنَادَوْاْ صَـحِبَهُمْ فَتَعَاطَى فَعَقَرَ </div><p>(But they called their comrade and he took (a sword) and killed (the she-camel). ) (54:29)</p><div class="arabic uthmani">إِذِ انبَعَثَ أَشْقَـهَا </div><p>(When the …

And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not.

There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

In the city was a gang of nine who made mischief in the land and did no good.