And certainly We gave Musa the Book and We appointed with him his brother Haroun an aider. 35 And We said, "Go both of you to the people who have denied Our signs." Then We destroyed them with [complete] destruction. 36 And the people of Noah, when they cried lies to the Messengers, We drowned them, and made them to be a sign to mankind; and We have prepared for the evildoers a painful chastisement. 37 And [We destroyed] 'Aad and Thamud and the companions of the well and many generations between them. 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 39 And they have already come upon the town which was showered with a rain of evil. So have they not seen it? But they are not expecting 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 Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him? 43 Or deemest thou that most of them hear or understand? They are but like unto the cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the path. 44