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 made me, and He will certainly guide me." 27 God made (belief in one God) an everlasting task for his successors, so that perhaps they would return (to Him). 28 In fact I gave them and their forefathers the usage of this world until the truth and the Noble Messenger who conveyed the message clearly, came to them. 29 But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject 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 the Lord? We have divided between them their livelihood in the present life, and raised some of them above others in rank, that some of them may take others in servitude; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that they amass. 32 And were it not that mankind would have become one community, We might well have appointed, for those who disbelieve in the Beneficent, roofs of silver for their houses and stairs (of silver) whereby to mount, 33 and silver doors to their houses and silver couches on which to recline, 34 and other ornament of gold. All these are only the means of enjoyment in this world, but the pious will receive their reward from your Lord in the life hereafter. 35