(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 We drowned the people of Noah because of their rejection of the Messengers and made them evidence of the Truth for mankind. We have prepared a painful torment for the unjust ones. 37 And Ad, and Thamood, and the men of Er-Rass, and between that generations a many, 38 And for each We presented examples [as warnings], and each We destroyed with [total] destruction. 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 And when they see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger? 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 How can you be the guardian of those who have chosen their own desires as their Lord? 43 Or thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path. 44