And when Our manifest evident bayyinātin ‘manifest’ is a circumstantial qualifier signs in the Qur’ān are recited to them namely to the believers and the disbelievers those who disbelieve say to those who believe ‘Which of the two parties — us or you — is better in station in lodging and abode read as maqāman it is derived from the first form qāma ‘he stood’; read as muqāman it is derived from the fourth form aqāma ‘he took up residence’ and more excellent in assembly?’ nadiyyan meaning the place in which a folk assemble and converse. They the disbelievers mean ‘we are the better of the two parties’ and so we will fare better than you. God exalted be He says
- 19:7373
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ قَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَقَامًا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا
When Our lucid revelations are read out to them, the infidels say to those who believe: "Which of the two groups is better in standing, and whose company is more excellent?"
- common.revelation-Meccan
- common.hizb : 124