Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship: 26 except Him who originated me; and He will guide me. 27 He made this an abiding word among his descendants, in order that they would return. 28 Nay! I gave them and their fathers to enjoy until there came to them the truth and an Apostle making manifest (the truth). 29 but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it." 30 And they say: wherefore hath not this Qur'an been revealed to a man of the two cities who was great. 31 But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer's grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another's help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer's grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may 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 with doors to their houses and 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