—among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant. 82 When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflow with tears at the truth they have recognised. They say, “Our Lord, we believe; so record us with the witnesses. 83 Why should we not believe in Allah and in the truth that has come to us? We long for our Lord to admit us among the righteous people.” 84 So Allah rewarded them, for what they said, with gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will remain forever. Such is the recompense of those who excel in good. 85 But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs—they are the people of the Blaze. ⦗al-Māʾidah 5:82–86⦘.

Ibn ʿAbbās said: When the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ stood before the Negus and recited the Quran, the priests and monks who were present heard it; their tears streamed down because of the truth they recognised, so Allah the Exalted revealed, “That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant,” and the following verses. ⦗1⦘

Saʿīd ibn Jubayr said: The Negus sent eighty of his finest men to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He recited the Quran to them; they wept and their hearts softened, saying, “By Allah, we already recognise it.” They entered Islam, returned to the Negus and informed him, whereupon he too accepted Islam. Concerning them Allah revealed, “When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger…” and the subsequent verses. ⦗2⦘

Al-Suddi said: They were twelve men—seven priests and five monks. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited the Quran to them, they wept and said, “Our Lord, we believe, so write us down with the witnesses.”

Ibn ʿAbbās said: “The witnesses” are Muhammad and his community; they are the righteous people who