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: go ye twain unto a people who have belied Our signs. Then We annihilated them an utter annihilation. 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 the 'Aad and the Thamud and the dwellers of the Rass and many generations in-between. 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 39 And indeed they have visited the township upon which had rained a harmful rain; so were they not seeing it? In fact, they never expected to be raised again. 40 When they see thee, they treat thee no otherwise than in mockery: "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger?" 41 Well nigh he had led us astray from our gods if we had not persevered towards them. Presently they shall know, when they behold the torment, who is more astray in respect of path. 42 Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over him? 43 Do you think that most of them can hear or understand? They are like cattle, no, they are further astray from the Path. 44