"They said, 'O Salih, you were among us a person of hope before this,'" meaning: We were hoping that you would not insult our gods and that you would not worship other than them.
"And indeed, we are, concerning that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt," from [the root of] doubt (rayba).
﴿قَالُوا يَا صَالِحُ قَدْ كُنْتَ فِينَا مرجوا قبل هَذَا﴾ أَيْ: كُنَّا نَرْجُو أَلا تَشْتُمَ آلِهَتَنَا، وَلا تَعْبُدَ غَيْرَهَا.
﴿وَإِنَّنَا لَفِي شَكٍّ مِمَّا تَدْعُونَا إِلَيْهِ مريب﴾ من الرِّيبَة.
