AND, INDEED, [long before Muhammad] We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses, and appointed his brother Aaron to help him to bear his burden; 35 We told them, "Both of you go to the people who have rejected Our revelations." We completely destroyed these unbelievers. 36 And the people of Noah, when they cried lies to the Messengers, We drowned them, and made them to be a sign to mankind; and We have prepared for the evildoers a painful chastisement. 37 And (also) 'Ad and Thamud, and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 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 When these people see you, they scoff at you, (saying), "Is this the man whom Allah has sent as His Messenger? 41 He would have surely turned us away from our gods if we had not adhered to them." They will know soon who is farther away from the path when they see the punishment! 42 Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion (or impulse)? Couldst thou be a disposer of affairs for him? 43 Or deemest thou that most of them hear or understand? They are but as the cattle; nay, they are further astray from the way. 44