"And among us are the righteous" (the believers), "and among us are otherwise" (meaning: the polytheists), "we have been of varying ways" (or distinct sects). Among the Jinn, there are believers, Jews, Christians, Magians, and idol worshippers.
Muhammad said: "Tara'iq" (ways) means: we were divided into sects. "Al-Qidad" is the plural of "Qiddah," which is in the status of a "qit'ah" (piece) and "qita'" (pieces).
﴿وَأَنا منا الصالحون﴾ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿وَمنا دون ذَلِك﴾ يَعْنُونَ: الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا﴾ وَفِي الْجِنِّ مَؤْمِنُونَ ويهودٌ وَنَصَارَى ومجوسٌ وَعَبَدَةُ الْأَوْثَانِ.
قَالَ محمدٌ: (طَرَائِقُ) أَيْ: كُنَّا فِرَقًا، والقِدَدُ: جَمْعُ قِدّة، وَهِيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ قِطْعَةٍ وقطعٍ.
