(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister; 35 Then We said, "Go together to the people who have denied Our signs." We utterly destroyed them! 36 And the people of Nooh – when they denied the Noble Messengers, We drowned them and made them a sign for mankind; and We have kept prepared a painful punishment for the unjust. 37 And (the tribes of) A'ad and Thamud, and the dwellers in Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 We administered warnings to each of them, and then destroyed them completely. 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 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 Did you see the one who chose his own desires as his God? So will you accept the responsibility of guarding 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