We gave Moses the Book and appointed his brother Aaron as his counsellor: 35 and We said, "Go you both unto the people who have given the lie to Our messages!" - and thereupon We broke those [sinners] to smithereens. 36 The nation of Noah, We drowned them when they belied their Messenger, and made of them a sign to the nation. For the harmdoers We have prepared a painful punishment 37 And Ad, and Thamood, and the men of Er-Rass, and between that generations a many, 38 And unto each! We propounded similitude thereunto; and each We ruined an utter ruin. 39 And indeed they have visited the township upon which had rained a harmful rain; so were they not seeing it? In fact, they never expected to be raised again. 40 And when they see you, they do not take you for aught but a mockery: Is this he whom Allah has raised to be an apostle? 41 Well nigh he had led us astray from our gods if we had not persevered towards them. Presently they shall know, when they behold the torment, who is more astray in respect of path. 42 Hast thou observed him who hath taken as his god his own desire! wilt thou be over him a trustee? 43 Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are no better than cattle; in fact they are farther astray from the path. 44