We gave Moses the Book, and appointed with him his brother Aaron as minister 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 Nooh – when they denied the Noble Messengers, We drowned them and made them a sign for mankind; and We have kept prepared a painful punishment for the unjust. 37 And [We destroyed] 'Aad and Thamud and the companions of the well and many generations between them. 38 for each We struck similitudes, and each We ruined utterly. 39 And indeed they have passed by the town [of Prophet Lout (Lot)] on which was rained the evil rain. Did they (disbelievers) not then see it (with their own eyes)? Nay! But they used not to expect for any 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!" But in time, when they see the suffering [that awaits them,] they will come to know who it was that went farthest astray from the path [of truth]! 42 How can you be the guardian of those who have chosen their own desires as their Lord? 43 Do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like the cattle; nay, even worse than the cattle. 44