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 said: Go together unto the folk who have denied Our revelations. Then We destroyed them, a complete 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 Likewise were destroyed the `Ad and the Thamud and the people of the Rass, and many a generation in between. 38 To each of them We gave warnings and each of them We destroyed completely. 39 And certainly they have (often) passed by the town on which was rained an evil rain; did they not then see it? Nay! they did not hope to be raised again. 40 When these people see you, they scoff at you, (saying), "Is this the man whom Allah has sent as His Messenger? 41 He had almost led us astray from our gods, had we not remained firm in our faith with regard to them. " The time is not far when they will see the torment and realize who had strayed far from the truth. 42 Have you seen him who has taken his own desire to be his god? Can you be a guardian over him? 43 Or thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path. 44