And when Abraham said unto his father and his folk: Lo! I am innocent of what ye worship 26 except the One Who created me; and, behold, it is He Who will direct me to the Right Way.” 27 God made (belief in one God) an everlasting task for his successors, so that perhaps they would return (to Him). 28 Aye! I let these and their fathers enjoy life, until there hath come unto them the truth and an apostle manifest. 29 And when there came to them the truth they said: This is magic, and surely we are disbelievers in it. 30 And they say: If only this Qur'an had been revealed to some great man of the two towns? 31 What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, so that some may take the other into his service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all they gather. 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 (other) embellishments of gold; and all this is naught but provision of this world's life, and the hereafter is with your Lord only for those who guard (against evil). 35