AND, INDEED, [long before Muhammad] We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses, and appointed his brother Aaron to help him to bear his burden; 35 Then We told them: "Go to the people who have rejected Our signs." Then We annihilated them completely. 36 And [think of] the people of Noah: when they gave the lie to [one of] the apostles, We caused them to drown, and made them a symbol for all mankind: for, grievous suffering have We readied for all who [knowingly] do wrong! 37 Likewise were destroyed the `Ad and the Thamud and the people of the Rass, and many a generation in between. 38 We administered warnings to each of them, and then destroyed them completely. 39 Surely they have come by the city that was rained on by an evil rain; what, have they not seen it? Nay, but they look for no upraising. 40 Whenever they see you they only make a mockery of you -- "Is this the one God has sent as His Messenger? 41 He had well-nigh led us astray from our gods had we not adhered to them patiently! And they will know, when they see the punishment, who is straying farther off from the path. 42 Have you seen him who has made gods of his own desires? Would you be a guardian 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