(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister; 35 Then We said: Go you both to the people who rejected Our communications; so We destroyed them with utter destruction. 36 The nation of Noah, We drowned them when they belied their Messenger, and made of them a sign to the nation. For the harmdoers We have prepared a painful punishment 37 As also 'Ad and Thamud, and the Companions of the Rass, and many a generation between them. 38 To each one We set forth Parables and examples; and each one We broke to utter annihilation (for their sins). 39 And the (Unbelievers) must indeed have passed by the town on which was rained a shower of evil: did they not then see it (with their own eyes)? But they fear not the Resurrection. 40 And when they see thee (O Muhammad) they treat thee only as a jest (saying): Is this he whom Allah sendeth as a messenger? 41 Had we not been steadfast he would almost have led us astray from our gods." On facing torment they will soon know who had really gone astray. 42 Have you considered him who takes his own lust for his god? Can you stand a surety for him? 43 Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are straying farther off from the path. 44