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 And he made it a word enduring among his posterity; haply so they would 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 And when the Truth came to them they said: “This is just sorcery and we reject it.” 30 They also said: "Why was this Qur'an not sent down to some great man of the two cities?" 31 Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass. 32 If it were not that mankind would be one nation We would have made for whosoever disbelieves in the Merciful silver roofs upon their houses, and stairs to climb, 33 and (silver) doors to their houses, and couches (of silver) upon which they would recline; 34 And also adornments of gold. But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life: The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous. 35