And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of 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 Aye! I let these and their fathers enjoy life, until there hath come unto them the truth and an apostle manifest. 29 Yet when the truth had come to them, they said: "This is sorcery. We shall never believe in it." 30 And they say: Why was not this Quran revealed to a man of importance in the two towns? 31 What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all they gather. 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 doors to their houses, and couches whereon 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