(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister; 35 Then We told them: "Go to the people who have rejected Our signs." Then We annihilated them completely. 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 to 'Ad, and Thamud, and the people of al-Rass, and as We did for the many a generation 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 And when they behold thee, they hold thee up for mockery: is this the one whom Allah hath sent as an apostle 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 Have you seen him who has made gods of his own desires? Would you be a guardian over him? 43 Or dost thou think that most of them listen [to thy message] and use their reason? Nay, they are but like cattle - nay, they are even less conscious of the right way! 44