And when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: Surely I am clear of what you worship, 26 Save Him Who created me, for surely He will guide me. 27 And he made it a word enduring among his seed, that haply they might return. 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 Yet when the truth had come to them, they said: "This is sorcery. We shall never believe in it." 30 And they say: "Why is not this Quran sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Ta'if)?" 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 And were it not for that all people be on one religion, We would have made for the disbelievers of the Most Gracious, roofs and stairs of silver which they would climb. 33 And silver doors for their houses, and silver couches whereon they recline, 34 And ornament of gold. And yet all that would have been but a provision of the life of the world; and the Hereafter with thy Lord is for the Godfearing. 35