Call to mind when Abraham said to his father and his people: “I totally disown all whom you serve 26 None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and behold, it is He who will guide me!" 27 And he uttered this as a word destined to endure among those who would come after him, so that they might [always] return [to it]. 28 Now [as for those who did come after him,] I allowed them - as [I had allowed] their forebears - to enjoy their lives freely until the truth should come unto them through an apostle who would make all things clear: 29 but now that the truth has come to them, they say: "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence" - and behold, we deny that there is any truth in it!" 30 And they say: wherefore hath not this Qur'an been revealed to a man of the two cities who was great. 31 What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all they gather. 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 doors to their houses, and couches whereon to recline, 34 and gold, surely, all this is but the enjoyment of this present life. The Everlasting Life with your Lord is for those who fear (Him). 35