Call to mind when Abraham said to his father and his people: “I totally disown all whom you serve 26 except for the One who has created me and will guide me". 27 and he left these words to endure among his descendants, so that they might return [to God]. 28 In fact I gave them and their forefathers the usage of this world until the truth and the Noble Messenger who conveyed the message clearly, came to them. 29 When the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic and we have no faith in it". 30 And they said, "Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon a great man from [one of] the two cities?" 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 And were it not that all mankind would have become of one community (all disbelievers, desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators (and stair-ways, etc. of silver) whereby they ascend, 33 And for their houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they could 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