And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture and appointed with him his brother Aaron as an assistant. 35 then We said to them, "Go to the people who have treated Our Revelations as false. " So We annihilated those people utterly. 36 The same was the case with the people of Noah when they charged the Messenger with imposture: We drowned them and made them a sign of warning for entire mankind, and We have prepared a painful chastisement for the unjust. 37 Likewise were destroyed the `Ad and the Thamud and the people of the Rass, and many a generation in between. 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 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 Whenever they see you they only make a mockery of you -- "Is this the one God has sent as His 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 Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion (or impulse)? Couldst thou be a disposer of affairs for him? 43 Do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like the cattle; nay, even worse than the cattle. 44