Call to mind when Abraham said to his father and his people, "I disown utterly that which you worship. 26 None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and behold, it is He who will guide me!" 27 And Abraham left behind this word to endure among his posterity so that they may 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 when the truth came to them they said, “This is magic, and we disbelieve in it.” 30 And they say, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" 31 Is it they who distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of this world, and have raised some above others in rank that some of them may harness others to their service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all the treasures that they hoard. 32 And were it not that mankind would have become one community, We might well have appointed, for those who disbelieve in the Beneficent, roofs of silver for their houses and stairs (of silver) whereby to mount, 33 And for their houses doors (of silver) and couches of silver 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