(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister; 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 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 (also) 'Ad and Thamud, and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 39 And the (Unbelievers) must indeed have passed by the town on which was rained a shower of evil: did they not then see it (with their own eyes)? But they fear not the 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 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 How can you be the guardian of those who have chosen their own desires as their Lord? 43 Do you think that most of them listen and understand? They are like cattle or even more, straying and confused. 44