And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father and his people, "Indeed, I am disassociated from that which you worship 26 except Him who originated me; and He 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 In fact, We allowed them and their fathers to enjoy themselves until the truth and a strong Messenger came to them. 29 but when the truth came to them, they said, "This is 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 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 that all mankind would have become of one community (all disbelievers, desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators (and stair-ways, etc. of silver) whereby they ascend, 33 And for their houses - doors and couches [of silver] upon 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