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 [I worship] only Him who created me, and He will certainly guide me," 27 He made this an abiding word among his descendants, in order that they would return. 28 Nay, but I let these and their fathers enjoy life (only) till there should come unto them the Truth and a messenger making plain. 29 And when the truth came to them, they said, 'This is a sorcery, and in it we are unbelievers.' 30 They say: “Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon some great man from the two (main) cities?” 31 Shall they apportion their Lord's mercy? It is We Who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them over others in degrees, so that one of them may take another as a serf; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass. 32 Were it not for the fear that all people would become one in disbelief, We would have made for the disbelievers in the Beneficent God ceilings out of silver and ladders by which they would climb up, 33 And doors (of silver) for their houses, (silver) couches for reclining, 34 And ornament of gold. And yet all that would have been but a provision of the life of the world; and the Hereafter with thy Lord is for the Godfearing. 35