When Abraham said to his father and his people, "I boldly renounce what you worship 26 "(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me." 27 And he made it a word remaining among his descendants that they might return [to it]. 28 Aye! I let these and their fathers enjoy life, until there hath come unto them the truth and an apostle manifest. 29 But when the truth came to them, they said: 'This is sorcery, we disbelieve 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 Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass. 32 And were it not for that all people be on one religion, We would have made for the disbelievers of the Most Gracious, roofs and stairs of silver which they would climb. 33 and silver doors to their houses and silver 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