We gave the Book to Moses and made his brother Aaron his Minister. 35 Then We said: Go you both to the people who rejected Our communications; so We destroyed them with utter destruction. 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 (the tribes of) A'ad and Thamud, and the dwellers in Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 We gave guidance and drove each to destruction. 39 And they [who now deny Our messages] must surely have come across that town which was rained upon by a rain of evil: have they, then, never beheld it [with their minds eye]? But nay, they would not believe in resurrection! 40 And when they see you, they do not take you for aught but a mockery: Is this he whom Allah has raised to be an apostle? 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 him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? 43 Do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like the cattle; nay, even worse than the cattle. 44