And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture and appointed with him his brother Aaron as an assistant. 35 Then We said: Go together unto the folk who have denied Our revelations. Then We destroyed them, a complete destruction. 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 (also) 'Ad and Thamud, and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 And to every one We gave examples and every one did We destroy with utter destruction. 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 And when they see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger? 41 He had well-nigh led us astray from our gods had we not adhered to them patiently! And they will know, when they see the punishment, who is straying farther off from the path. 42 Hast thou seen him who has taken his caprice to be his god? Wilt thou be a guardian over them? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are no better than cattle; in fact they are farther astray from the path. 44