And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship, 26 except the One Who created me; and, behold, it is He Who will direct me to the Right Way.” 27 He made this an abiding word among his descendants, in order that they would return. 28 Nay, but I let these and their fathers enjoy life (only) till there should come unto them the Truth and a messenger making plain. 29 but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it." 30 And they said, “Why was the Qur’an not sent down upon some chieftain of these two great towns?” (The chiefs of Mecca and Taif). 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 Were it not for the fear that all people would become one in disbelief, We would have made for the disbelievers in the Beneficent God ceilings out of silver and ladders by which they would climb up, 33 and [silver] doors for their houses, and [silver] 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