Waqaloo nahnu aktharu amwalan waawladan wama nahnu bimuAAaththabeen (surah Saba: 35)

Tafseer Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A'la Maududi

(34:35) They always said: 'We have more wealth and children than you have, and we shall not be chastised.' *55

Wa qaaloo nahnu aksaru amwaalanw wa awlaadanw wa maa nahnu bimu `azzabeen

*55) Their reasoning was: "We are greater favourites of Allah than you. That is why He has favoured us with the blessings of which you are deprived, or have received them in lesser measure. Why should Allah have given us all these provisions and wealth and power had He not been pleased with us? Now, how can we believe that Allah Who is showering us with all kinds of His blessings here will punish us in the Hereafter? He will punish only those who are deprived of His favours here,"
This misunderstanding of the world-worshippers also has been mentioned at several places in the Qur'an and refuted. For instance, see AI-Baqarah: 126, 212; At-Taubah: 55, 69; Hud: 3, 27; Ar-Ra'd: 26; Al-Kahf: 34 to 43; Maryam: 73 to 77; Ta Ha: 131; Al-Mu'minun: 55 to 61; Ash-Shu`ara': 111; Al-Qasas: 76 to 83; Ar-Rum: 9; Al-Muddaththir: 11-26: Al-Fajr: 15 to 20.