AND, INDEED, [long before Muhammad] We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses, and appointed his brother Aaron to help him to bear his burden; 35 and We said, 'Go to the people who have cried lies to Our signs'; then We destroyed them utterly. 36 And the people of Nuh! when they belied the apostles We drowned them, and made them a sign unto mankind. And We have gotten ready unto the wrong-doers a torment afflictive. 37 And the 'Aad and the Thamud and the dwellers of the Rass and many generations in-between. 38 To each one We set forth Parables and examples; and each one We broke to utter annihilation (for their sins). 39 And indeed they have passed by the township whereon was rained the fatal rain. Can it be that they have not seen it? Nay, but they hope for no resurrection. 40 Whenever they see you they only make a mockery of you -- "Is this the one God has sent as His Messenger? 41 Indeed, he would well-nigh have led us astray from our deities, had we not been [so] steadfastly attached to them!" But in time, when they see the suffering [that awaits them,] they will come to know who it was that went farthest astray from the path [of truth]! 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 Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way. 44