(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister; 35 Then We said: Go you both to the people who rejected Our communications; so We destroyed them with utter destruction. 36 We had drowned the people of Noah when they had accused the apostles of lies, and turned them into an example for men. We have prepared a painful punishment for the wicked. 37 And [remember how We punished the tribes of] Ad and Thamud and the people of Ar-Rass, and many generations [of sinners] in-between: 38 And We illustrated examples to each one of them; and ruining them, annihilated them all. 39 And certainly they have (often) passed by the town on which was rained an evil rain; did they not then see it? Nay! they did not hope to be raised again. 40 When they see thee, they treat thee no otherwise than in mockery: "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 Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him? 43 Do you think that most of them can hear or understand? They are like cattle, no, they are further astray from the Path. 44