And assuredly We vouchsafed unto Musa the Book and We placed with him his brother Harun as a 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 [We destroyed] 'Aad and Thamud and the companions of the well and many generations between them. 38 To each one We set forth Parables and examples; and each one We broke to utter annihilation (for their sins). 39 And the (Unbelievers) must indeed have passed by the town on which was rained a shower of evil: did they not then see it (with their own eyes)? But they fear not the 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 Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over him? 43 Or deemest thou that most of them hear or understand? They are but as the cattle - nay, but they are farther astray? 44