“And those who were given the Book did not divide” concerning Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, “until after the clear proof came to them”—that is, the statement in their scriptures that he was a prophet sent by Allah.

The commentators said: The People of the Book remained united in affirming Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, until Allah sent him. When he was sent, they became divided and differed concerning him: ⦗198/A⦘ some believed in him, while others disbelieved.

Some leading linguists said that the meaning of “munfakkīn” is “perishing,” as in their expression, “A woman’s ṣalā (pelvic bone) becomes dislocated during childbirth” (1): that is, it separates and does not mend, so she perishes.

Accordingly, the meaning of the verse is that they would not perish and be punished until the proof had been established against them through the sending of the Messenger and the revelation of the Book. The first interpretation, however, is more correct.

He then mentioned what they had been commanded in their scriptures, saying: “And they were commanded”—that is, these disbelievers—“only to worship Allah,” meaning, only that they worship Allah, “devoting the religion sincerely to Him.” Ibn Abbas said: They were commanded in the Torah and the Gospel only [to show sincerity in] worshipping Allah as monotheists (2), “inclining solely to the truth,” turning away from all religions to the religion of Islam; “to establish the prescribed prayer” at its appointed times, “and give zakah” when it becomes due. “That”—namely, what they were commanded—“is the upright religion,” that is, the straight religious community and law.

He placed dīn (religion) in a genitive construction with al-qayyimah (upright), although the latter qualifies it, because the two words differ in form. He made al-qayyimah feminine because it refers back to millah (religious community). It was also said that its final hā’ is for intensification. And it was said that al-qayyimah refers to the books previously mentioned: that is, this is the religion of the upright books in what they call to and command, as Allah says: “And He sent down with them the Book in truth, to judge between the people concerning that over which they differed” (al-Baqarah 213).

Al-Nadr ibn Shumayl said: I asked al-Khalil ibn Ahmad about His words, “And that is the religion of al-qīmah.” He replied: “Al-qayyimah...”