We gave the Book to Moses and gave him his brother Aaron as a minister. 35 Then We said: go ye twain unto a people who have belied Our signs. Then We annihilated them an utter annihilation. 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 Likewise were destroyed the `Ad and the Thamud and the people of the Rass, and many a generation in between. 38 And for each We presented examples [as warnings], and each We destroyed with [total] destruction. 39 Surely they have come by the city that was rained on by an evil rain; what, have they not seen it? Nay, but they look for no upraising. 40 When they see thee, they treat thee no otherwise than in mockery: "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger?" 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 takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? 43 Do you think most of them can hear or understand? They are like cattle. Indeed, they are even more astray. 44