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 you both to the people who rejected Our communications; so We destroyed them with utter destruction. 36 We drowned the people of Noah also when they rejected their messengers and We made them an example to all mankind. We have prepared a painful punishment for the wrongdoers, 37 And (also) 'Ad and Thamud, and the dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between. 38 Each (of them) We warned by examples, and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin. 39 And indeed they have passed by the township whereon was rained the fatal rain. Can it be that they have not seen it? Nay, but they hope for no 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 He almost would have misled us from our gods had we not been steadfast in [worship of] them." But they are going to know, when they see the punishment, who is farthest astray in [his] way. 42 How can you be the guardian of those who have chosen their own desires as their Lord? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are no better than cattle; in fact they are farther astray from the path. 44