This is a complete pause, for the two groups among the People of the Book have already been mentioned in His saying, Exalted is He: “Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.” Then He said, “They are not alike,” meaning the believers and the defiantly disobedient. (1) He then described the defiantly disobedient, saying, “They will never harm you except with [mere] hurt,” and described the believers with His words, “an upright community.”

It was also said that His words, “Among the People of the Book,” begin a separate statement, since the two groups had already been mentioned. He then said, “These two groups are not alike,” and thereafter began a new statement with the words, “Among the People of the Book...”

Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Its meaning is that the Jews and the community of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him—who uphold Allah’s command, remain firm upon the truth, and are upright—are not alike. Regarding His words, “an upright community,” Ibn Abbas said: That is, a rightly guided community that upholds Allah’s command, neither neglecting nor abandoning it.

Mujahid said: “Just.” Al-Suddi said: “Obedient, upholding the Book of Allah and its prescribed limits.” It was also said: “Standing in prayer.” And it was said that “community” means a way or path.

Thus, the meaning of the verse is: possessing an upright community; that is, possessing a straight way.

“They recite the verses of Allah”: that is, they read the Book of Allah. Mujahid said: “They follow [them].” “In the watches of the night” means its hours. Its singular is ina, comparable to nihan, whose plural is anha'; it is also said to be ina, with the plural ana', comparable to mi'an and am'a'; and ina, comparable to mina and amna'.

“While they prostrate”: that is, they pray, for recitation does not take place during prostration.

They differed concerning its meaning. Some said that it refers to the night prayer. Ibn Mas'ud said: It is the 'Isha prayer, which they perform while none besides them among the People of the Book performs it.

Ata said: “They are not alike. Among the People of the Book is an upright community”—the verse refers to forty Arab men from the people of Najran, thirty-two from Abyssinia, and eight from the Romans. They had followed the religion of Jesus and affirmed Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Among the Ansar, before the Prophet’s arrival, were a number such as As'ad ibn Zurarah, al-Bara ibn Ma'rur, Muhammad ibn Salamah, Mahmud ibn Maslamah, and Abu Qays Sirmah (2) ibn Anas. They affirmed the oneness of Allah, performed the ritual bath after sexual impurity, and observed whatever they knew of the ordinances of the Hanif way, until Allah, Exalted is He, sent the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to them; then they believed in him and supported him.