AND, INDEED, [long before Muhammad] We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses, and appointed his brother Aaron to help him to bear his burden; 35 Then We said: Go you both to the people who rejected Our communications; so We destroyed them with utter destruction. 36 And the people of Noah - when they denied the messengers, We drowned them, and We made them for mankind a sign. And We have prepared for the wrongdoers a painful punishment. 37 To each of the tribes of Ad, Thamud, the settlers around the well and many generations in between 38 and unto each of them did We proffer lessons and each of them did We destroy with utter 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 When these people see you, they scoff at you, (saying), "Is this the man whom Allah has sent as His Messenger? 41 He had well-nigh led us astray from our gods had we not adhered to them patiently! And they will know, when they see the punishment, who is straying farther off from the path. 42 Have you considered him who takes his own lust for his god? Can you stand a surety for him? 43 Or dost thou think that most of them listen [to thy message] and use their reason? Nay, they are but like cattle - nay, they are even less conscious of the right way! 44