AND WHEN Abraham spoke to his father and his people, [he had this very truth in mind:] "Verily, far be it from me to worship what you worship! 26 except Him who originated me, for He will guide me' 27 And he made it a word lasting among his posterity that haply they should return. 28 In fact, We allowed them and their fathers to enjoy themselves until the truth and a strong Messenger came to them. 29 Yet when the truth had come to them, they said: "This is sorcery. We shall never believe in it." 30 They say: “Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon some great man from the two (main) cities?” 31 Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad SAW) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass. 32 And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount 33 doors for their houses, couches on which to recline, 34 and ornaments of gold. But all of these are but the provision of this present life; it is the life to come that the Lord reserves for those who fear Him. 35