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 to the people who have denied Our signs." We utterly destroyed them! 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 [remember how We punished the tribes of] Ad and Thamud and the people of Ar-Rass, and many generations [of sinners] in-between: 38 for each We struck similitudes, and each We ruined utterly. 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 thee, they take thee in mockery only: 'What, is this he whom God sent forth as a Messenger? 41 He would have mislead us from our gods, if we had not been steadfast to them' But they shall know who is further astray from the Path when they see the punishment. 42 Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over him? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even worst than cattle). 44