And when Abraham said to his father and his people, 'Surely I am quit of that you serve, 26 "(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me." 27 And he made it a word lasting among his posterity that haply they should return. 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 when the truth came to them, they said, "This is sorcery, and we reject it." 30 They also said: 'Why was this Koran not sent down to a great man from the two Villages' 31 Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate. 32 And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against (Allah) Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up, 33 And doors of silver for their houses and couches of silver upon which they would recline. 34 And (other) embellishments of gold; and all this is naught but provision of this world's life, and the hereafter is with your Lord only for those who guard (against evil). 35