(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 the tribes of A’ad and the Thamud, and the people of the Wells, and many a generation between them. 38 And to every one We gave examples and every one did We destroy with utter destruction. 39 And assuredly they have gone by the township whereon was rained the evil rain. Are they not wont to see it? Aye! they expect not Resurrection. 40 Hence, whenever they consider thee, [O Muhammad,] they but make thee a target of their mockery, [saying:] "Is this the one whom God has sent as an apostle? 41 Indeed, he would well-nigh have led us astray from our deities, had we not been [so] steadfastly attached to them!" When they behold the punishment, they shall realize who strayed furthest from the right path. 42 Have you considered him who takes his own lust for his god? Can you stand a surety for him? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way. 44