Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship: 26 Save Him Who hath created me, and then He would guide me. 27 And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back (to Allah). 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 But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it." 30 Then they said, "Why this Quran had not been revealed to a man from either of the two great 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 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 and couches [of silver] upon which to 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