“They are degrees in the sight of Allah,” meaning: The people of the Fire, some of them are in more severe torment than others, and the people of the Garden, some of them are in higher degrees than others.
Muhammad said: “They are degrees in the sight of Allah.” The meaning is: They are [possessors of] degrees. [Verse 164]
﴿هم دَرَجَات عِنْد الله﴾ يَعْنِي: أهل النَّار بَعضهم أَشد عذَابا من بعض، وَأهل الْجنَّة بَعضهم أرفع دَرَجَات من بعض.
قَالَ مُحَمَّد: ﴿هُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِنْدَ الله﴾ الْمَعْنى: هم [ذَوُو] دَرَجَات. [آيَة ١٦٤]
