Call to mind when Abraham said to his father and his people, "I disown utterly that which you worship. 26 "Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah Alone) Who did create me, and verily, 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, 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 sorcery, and we reject it." 30 And they say: If only this Qur'an had been revealed to some great man of the two towns? 31 Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate. 32 Were it not for the fear that all people would become one in disbelief, We would have made for the disbelievers in the Beneficent God ceilings out of silver and ladders by which they would climb up, 33 and doors to their houses, and couches whereon to recline, 34 and ornaments of gold. But all of these are but the provision of this present life; it is the life to come that the Lord reserves for those who fear Him. 35