And indeed We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)], and placed his brother Harun (Aaron) with him as a helper; 35 We therefore said, “Go, both of you, to the people who have denied Our signs”; then ruining the people, We destroyed them completely. 36 And Noah's folk, when they denied the messengers, We drowned them and made of them a portent for mankind. We have prepared a painful doom for evil-doers. 37 And (also) 'Ad and Thamud, and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 for each We struck similitudes, and each We ruined utterly. 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 And when they see thee (O Muhammad) they treat thee only as a jest (saying): Is this he whom Allah sendeth as a messenger? 41 Wellnigh he had led us astray from our gods, but that we kept steadfast to them.' Assuredly they shall know, when they see the chastisement, who is further astray from the way. 42 Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are no better than cattle; in fact they are farther astray from the path. 44