It was also said that the verse is understood as: “It is indeed these two,” with the pronoun omitted. (1)

A group held that the particle inna here means “yes”; that is, “Yes, these two.” (2) It is related that a Bedouin asked Ibn al-Zubayr for something, but he refused him. The man said, “May Allah curse the she-camel that carried me to you!” Ibn al-Zubayr replied, “Indeed—and its owner as well!” That is, “Yes.”

The poet said: (3)

“My reproaching women came early to me,
Reproaching me, while I reproach them.

They say, ‘Grey hair has come upon you,
And you have grown old.’ So I replied, ‘Indeed!’”

That is, “Yes.”

“They seek to drive you out of your land”—that is, Egypt—“by their magic, and to do away with your exemplary way.” (4) Ibn Abbas said: This means the leading men and nobles of your people. It is said, “These are the foremost people of their tribe,” meaning, their nobles. (5) “Exemplary” is the feminine form of “most exemplary,” meaning “most excellent.” In a report from al-Sha'bi, from Ali, he said: “They will turn people’s attention toward themselves.” (6)

Qatada said: Their exemplary party at that time was the Children of Israel, for they were the greatest of the people in number and wealth. Thus the enemy of Allah said: “They intend to take them for themselves.” (7)

It was also said that “your exemplary way” means your custom and the religion which you follow. (8) “Exemplary” is an adjective describing “way.” The Arabs say, “So-and-so follows the exemplary way,” meaning that he follows the straight guidance.