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is the plural of qayyim (upright); qayyim, qayyim, and qā’im (one who stands firm) are synonymous. The figurative meaning of the verse is: that is the religion of those who stand devoted to Allah in affirming His oneness.
“Indeed, those who disbelieve from among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, remaining therein forever. They are the worst of all creatures. Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—they are the best of all creatures.” (6–7)
جَمْعُ الْقَيِّمِ، والقِّيمُ وَالْقَائِمُ وَاحِدٌ، وَمَجَازُ الْآيَةِ: وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَائِمِينَ لِلَّهِ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ.
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أُولَئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِيَّةِ (٦) إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ (٧) ﴾