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 Save Him Who created me, for surely He will guide me. 27 And he made it a word to continue in his posterity that they may return. 28 In fact, I allowed them and their fathers to enjoy this life till the truth, and the apostle preaching it lucidly, came to them. 29 But when the truth came to them, they said, "This is magic, and indeed we are, concerning it, disbelievers." 30 They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities?" 31 Shall they apportion their Lord's mercy? It is We Who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them over others in degrees, so that one of them may take another as a serf; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that 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 for their houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, 34 And gold ornament. But all that is not but the enjoyment of worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous. 35