And when Ibrahim said to his father and his people, “I have no relation whatsoever with your deities.” 26 Save Him Who did create me, for He will surely guide me. 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 And now that the Truth hath come unto them they say: This is mere magic, and lo! we are disbelievers therein. 30 They say, 'Why was this Koran not sent down upon some man of moment in the two cities?' 31 Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate. 32 And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount 33 and doors to their houses, and couches whereon 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