When Abraham said to his father and his people: "I am rid of what you worship 26 Save Him Who did create me, for He will surely guide me. 27 and he left these words to endure among his descendants, so that they might return [to God]. 28 In fact, We allowed them and their fathers to enjoy themselves until the truth and a strong Messenger came to them. 29 But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it." 30 They say: “Why was this Qur'an not sent down upon some great man from the two (main) 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 And if it were not that the people would become one community [of disbelievers], We would have made for those who disbelieve in the Most Merciful - for their houses - ceilings and stairways of silver upon which to mount 33 doors for their houses, couches on which 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