And indeed We gave Moosa the Book and appointed with him his brother Haroon as a deputy. 35 And We said: "Go you both to the people who have denied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)." Then We destroyed them with utter destruction. 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 for each of them We put forward examples (as proofs and lessons, etc.), and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin (because of their disbelief and evil deeds). 39 And they have already come upon the town which was showered with a rain of evil. So have they not seen it? But they are not expecting resurrection. 40 Hence, whenever they consider thee, [O Muhammad,] they but make thee a target of their mockery, [saying:] "Is this the one whom God has sent as an apostle? 41 He would have surely turned us away from our gods if we had not adhered to them." They will know soon who is farther away from the path when they see the punishment! 42 Have you considered him who takes his own lust for his god? Can you stand a surety for him? 43 Or deemest thou that most of them hear or understand? They are but as the cattle - nay, but they are farther astray? 44