And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father and his people, "Indeed, I am disassociated from that which you worship 26 Except for He who created me; and indeed, He will guide me." 27 And he made it a word to continue in his posterity that they may return. 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 And when the truth cometh unto them, they say this is magic, and verily we are therein disbelievers. 30 And they say, too, "Why was not this Qur'an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?" 31 Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass. 32 If it were not that all mankind might have become one community [of disbelievers], We could have given all those who deny the Lord of Mercy, houses with roofs of silver, silver staircases to ascend, 33 And the doors of their houses and the couches on which they 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