We verily gave Moses the Scripture and placed with him his brother Aaron as henchman. 35 And We said, "Go both of you to the people who have denied Our signs." Then We destroyed them with [complete] 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 Ad, and Thamood, and the men of Er-Rass, and between that generations a many, 38 And for each We presented examples [as warnings], and each We destroyed with [total] 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 And when they see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger? 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 Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over 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