And when Abraham said unto his father and his folk: Lo! I am innocent of what ye worship 26 except Him who originated me; and He will guide me. 27 And he made it [i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone)] a Word lasting among his offspring (True Monotheism), that they may turn back (i.e. to repent to Allah or receive admonition). 28 In fact, We allowed them and their fathers to enjoy themselves until the truth and a strong Messenger came to them. 29 but now that the truth has come to them, they say: "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence" - and behold, we deny that there is any truth in it!" 30 They said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities?" 31 Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass. 32 And were it not that [with the prospect of boundless riches before them] all people would become one [evil] community, We might indeed have provided for those who [now] deny the Most Gracious roofs of silver for their houses, and [silver] stairways whereon to ascend, 33 And doors of silver for their houses and couches of silver upon which they would recline. 34 And ornaments of gold. Yet all that would have been but a provision of the life of the world. And the Hereafter with your Lord would have been for those who keep from evil. 35