And indeed We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)], and placed his brother Harun (Aaron) with him as a helper; 35 We therefore said, “Go, both of you, to the people who have denied Our signs”; then ruining the people, We destroyed them completely. 36 And the people of Noah - when they denied the messengers, We drowned them, and We made them for mankind a sign. And We have prepared for the wrongdoers a painful punishment. 37 And [We destroyed] 'Aad and Thamud and the companions of the well and many generations between them. 38 And for each of them We put forward examples (as proofs and lessons, etc.), and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin (because of their disbelief and evil deeds). 39 Surely, these people have passed by that habitation on which was rained an evil rain: have they not seen its ruins? But they do not expect another life in the Hereafter. 40 Hence, whenever they consider thee, [O Muhammad,] they but make thee a target of their mockery, [saying:] "Is this the one whom God has sent as an apostle? 41 He would have mislead us from our gods, if we had not been steadfast to them' But they shall know who is further astray from the Path when they see the punishment. 42 How can you be the guardian of those who have chosen their own desires as their Lord? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way. 44