"And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many religious scholars?" meaning: many groups. It is also read: "Qatala ma'ahu" (Fought with him). "So they did not become weak," meaning: they did not become feeble or helpless. "And they did not submit [to the enemy]," meaning: they did not turn back from their insight.
Muhammad said: The 'Ribbah' is a group. It is said for a group: 'Ribbi,' as if it were attributed to the Ribbah. When it is pluralized, it is said: 'Ribbiyyun.' The meaning of 'istakanu' is: they were humbled and abased.
﴿وكأين من نَبِي﴾ أَي: وَكم من نَبِي ﴿قُتِلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ﴾ أَي: جموع كَثِيرَة، وتقرأ: ﴿قَاتل مَعَه﴾ ﴿فَمَا وهنوا﴾ أَي: ضعفوا وعجزوا. ﴿وَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا﴾ أَي: وَمَا ارْتَدُّوا عَن بصيرتهم.
قَالَ مُحَمَّد: الرّبَّة: الْجَمَاعَة، وَيُقَال للْجمع: رِبِّي؛ كَأَنَّهُ نسب إِلَى الربة؛ فَإِذا جمع قيل: ربيون، وَمعنى اسْتَكَانُوا: خشعوا وذلوا.
