AND, INDEED, [long before Muhammad] We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses, and appointed his brother Aaron to help him to bear his burden; 35 Then We said: go ye twain unto a people who have belied Our signs. Then We annihilated them an utter annihilation. 36 And [think of] the people of Noah: when they gave the lie to [one of] the apostles, We caused them to drown, and made them a symbol for all mankind: for, grievous suffering have We readied for all who [knowingly] do wrong! 37 And the 'Aad and the Thamud and the dwellers of the Rass and many generations in-between. 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 39 And they [who now deny Our messages] must surely have come across that town which was rained upon by a rain of evil: have they, then, never beheld it [with their minds eye]? But nay, they would not believe in resurrection! 40 Whenever they see you they only make a mockery of you -- "Is this the one God has sent as His Messenger? 41 Indeed, he would well-nigh have led us astray from our deities, had we not been [so] steadfastly attached to them!" But in time, when they see the suffering [that awaits them,] they will come to know who it was that went farthest astray from the path [of truth]! 42 Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? 43 Or thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path. 44