And when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: Surely I am clear of what you worship, 26 “Except Him Who has created me, for He will soon direct me.” (To my place of migration.) 27 And he made it a word remaining among his descendants that they might return [to it]. 28 Now [as for those who did come after him,] I allowed them - as [I had allowed] their forebears - to enjoy their lives freely until the truth should come unto them through an apostle who would make all things clear: 29 but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it." 30 They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities?" 31 Is it they who apportion thy Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass. 32 If it were not that all mankind might have become one community [of disbelievers], We could have given all those who deny the Lord of Mercy, houses with roofs of silver, silver staircases to ascend, 33 and silver doors to their houses and silver couches on which to recline, 34 and gold [beyond count]. Yet all this would have been nothing but a [brief] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas [happiness in] the life to come awaits the God-conscious with thy Sustainer. 35