And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship, 26 None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and behold, it is He who will guide me!" 27 God made (belief in one God) an everlasting task for his successors, so that perhaps they would return (to Him). 28 Nay! I gave them and their fathers to enjoy until there came to them the truth and an Apostle making manifest (the truth). 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, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" 31 But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer's grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another's help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer's grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass. 32 And were it not for that all people be on one religion, We would have made for the disbelievers of the Most Gracious, roofs and stairs of silver which they would climb. 33 with doors to their houses and 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