And when it became evident - like the sun - their inclination towards the polytheists over the believers; given that they are in utmost enmity towards them; Allah (glorified and exalted is He) stated this explicitly; in a way of inference; and He said - indicating their deep-rootedness in wickedness -: "You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity towards those who have believed"; meaning: all of them; "is the Jews"; He mentioned them first because they are the most intense of the two groups; for there is nothing more disgraceful than a misguided person who has knowledge; "and those who have associated partners"; for what they share in belittling the prophets; these out of ignorance; and those out of stubbornness; and transgression; it became known that whoever is sincere in his faith does not ally with them in his heart; nor with his tongue; and that they only gathered in alliance due to their intense animosity towards those who have believed; so this verse serves as an explanation for what preceded it; as if it were said: suppose that they do not believe in Allah; and the Prophet; and that does not necessitate the affection for the polytheists; then why did they ally with them at that time? It was said: because the two groups gathered in their intense animosity towards those who have believed.

And when Allah (glorified and exalted is He) informed about the furthest of the people in affection towards them; He informed about their opposites; and He said: "And you will surely find the closest of the people in affection towards those who have believed"; meaning: the people; "are those who say, 'We are Christians'"; and in the hint at their saying is an indication that they were not upon the true essence of Christianity; "because of their humility towards the world"; merely by their saying that; and if they were not deeply rooted in the religion; and their inclination towards the knowledge of the unseen; and for this reason, He explained it by saying: "That is because among them are priests"; meaning: those who are devoted to knowledge; from "the priest"; which means to be close to something; and to pursue it; "and monks"; meaning: in utmost detachment from the world; and when detachment from it necessitates distance from envy; and it is a reason for avoiding arrogance; He said: "and that they do not show arrogance"; meaning: they do not seek superiority over others; nor do they establish it.