AND, INDEED, [long before Muhammad] We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses, and appointed his brother Aaron to help him to bear his burden; 35 and We said, "Go you both unto the people who have given the lie to Our messages!" - and thereupon We broke those [sinners] to smithereens. 36 The same was the case with the people of Noah when they charged the Messenger with imposture: We drowned them and made them a sign of warning for entire mankind, and We have prepared a painful chastisement for the unjust. 37 (As for) 'Ad, Thamud and the people of ar-Rass, and many generations in between them, 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 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 (Muhammad), when they see you, they will only mock you and say, "Has God really sent him as a Messengers? 41 Indeed, he would well-nigh have led us astray from our deities, had we not been [so] steadfastly attached to them!" When they behold the punishment, they shall realize who strayed furthest from the right path. 42 Hast thou seen him who has taken his caprice to be his god? Wilt thou be a guardian over them? 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