AND WHEN Abraham spoke to his father and his people, [he had this very truth in mind:] "Verily, far be it from me to worship what you worship! 26 None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and behold, it is He who 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 Aye! I let these and their fathers enjoy life, until there hath come unto them the truth and an apostle manifest. 29 And when the Truth came to them they said: “This is just sorcery and we reject it.” 30 They also said: "Why was this Qur'an not sent down to some great man of the two cities?" 31 Will they distribute the mercy of your Lord? We distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We j have exalted some of them above others in degrees, that some of them may take others in subjection; and the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass. 32 Were it not that all mankind would become a single community (and follow the same way), We would have provided for all those who disbelieve in the Merciful One silver roofs for their houses, and (silver) stairs on which to go up, 33 And for their houses doors (of silver) and couches of silver whereon to recline, 34 and gold [beyond count]. Yet all this would have been nothing but a [brief] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas [happiness in] the life to come awaits the God-conscious with thy Sustainer. 35