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 to them, "Go to the people who have treated Our Revelations as false. " So We annihilated those people utterly. 36 And the people of Noah,- when they rejected the messengers, We drowned them, and We made them as a Sign for mankind; and We have prepared for (all) wrong-doers a grievous Penalty;- 37 Likewise were destroyed the `Ad and the Thamud and the people of the Rass, and many a generation in between. 38 And We illustrated examples to each one of them; and ruining them, annihilated them all. 39 And indeed they have passed by the township whereon was rained the fatal rain. Can it be that they have not seen it? Nay, but they hope for no resurrection. 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 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 Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over 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