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 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 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 say: “Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon some great man from the two (main) cities?” 31 What, is it they who divide the mercy of the Lord? We have divided between them their livelihood in the present life, and raised some of them above others in rank, that some of them may take others in servitude; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that 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 thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, 34 and gold [beyond count]. Yet all this would have been nothing but a [brief] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas [happiness in] the life to come awaits the God-conscious with thy Sustainer. 35