"Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners." Qatada's interpretation: It was mentioned to us that between Adam and Noah, peace be upon them both, there were ten generations, all of whom practiced obedience to Allah upon guidance and upon a law of truth. Then they differed after that, so Allah sent Noah, peace be upon him, and he was the first messenger whom Allah sent to the people of the earth. "And He sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves." Meaning: out of envy among themselves. "And Allah by His permission guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed." Meaning: by His command. [Verses 213-214]
﴿كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ الله النَّبِيين مبشرين ومنذرين﴾ تَفْسِير قَتَادَة: ذكر لَنَا أَنَّهُ كَانَ بَين آدم ونوح عليهما السلام عشرَة قُرُون كلهم يعْمل بِطَاعَة اللَّه على الْهدى، وعَلى شَرِيعَة من الْحق، ثمَّ اخْتلفُوا بعد ذَلِكَ، فَبعث اللَّه نوحًا عليه السلام فَكَانَ أول رَسُول أرْسلهُ اللَّه إِلَى أهل الأَرْض. ﴿وَأَنْزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَينَات بغيا بَينهم﴾ أَي: حسدا بَينهم ﴿فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ من الْحق بِإِذْنِهِ﴾ أَي: بأَمْره. [آيَة ٢١٤ - ٢١٥]
