(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister; 35 We therefore said, “Go, both of you, to the people who have denied Our signs”; then ruining the people, We destroyed them completely. 36 And the people of Nuh! when they belied the apostles We drowned them, and made them a sign unto mankind. And We have gotten ready unto the wrong-doers a torment afflictive. 37 to 'Ad, and Thamud, and the people of al-Rass, and as We did for the many a generation between them. 38 We gave guidance and drove each to destruction. 39 And they [who now deny Our messages] must surely have come across that town which was rained upon by a rain of evil: have they, then, never beheld it [with their minds eye]? But nay, they would not believe in 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 had almost led us astray from our gods, had we not remained firm in our faith with regard to them. " The time is not far when they will see the torment and realize who had strayed far from the truth. 42 Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? 43 Do you think that most of them listen and understand? They are like cattle or even more, straying and confused. 44