Qays ibn Shammas: 'Allah knows that if Muhammad had commanded us to kill ourselves, I would have killed myself.' So Allah revealed: 'And if We had decreed upon them, "Kill yourselves or leave your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them.'

Muhammad said: Whoever recites 'illa qalilun' (except for a few - nominative), the meaning is: 'None would have done it except for a few.' 'And if they had done what they were instructed,' regarding the outcome, 'it would have been better for them and more firm' in terms of protection and immunity from Satan.