The disbelievers said to the believers: 'Which of the two groups'—we or you—'is better in position and better in company?' The 'maqam' is the dwelling, and the 'nadi' is the gathering place.
Qatadah said: They saw the companions of the Prophet in their life of austerity, so they said that to them.
﴿قَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَي الْفَرِيقَيْنِ﴾ نَحْنُ أَوْ أَنْتُمْ؟ ﴿خَيْرٌ مَقَامًا وَأحسن نديا﴾ الْمَقَامُ: الْمَسْكَنُ، وَالنَّدِيُّ: الْمَجْلِسُ.
قَالَ قَتَادَة: رَأَوْا أَصْحَاب النَّبِي فِي عَيْشِهِمْ خُشُونَةً، فَقَالُوا لَهُمْ ذَلِك.
