Call to mind when Abraham said to his father and his people, "I disown utterly that which you worship. 26 Except for He who created me; and indeed, He will guide me." 27 And Ibrahim kept this declaration among his progeny, in order that they may desist. 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 They also said: "Why was this Qur'an not sent down to some great man of the two cities?" 31 Shall they apportion their Lord's mercy? It is We Who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them over others in degrees, so that one of them may take another as a serf; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass. 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