[221] Ummatan wasaṭan (lit. a middle nation) means just and fair, taking a middle way or path of moderation in life and not inclining towards any of the extremes that border on danger (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, Ibn ʿĀshūr). Also see: 3: 110.
[222] One interpretation of this aya is that this moderate Believing nation, will bear witness on the Day of Judgement that the Prophets and Messengers of God delivered their Messages dutifully to their nations (cf. Ibn Mājah: 4284, ImāmAḥmad: 11575). Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) will, in turn, bear witness that his nation has spoken the Truth (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿĀshūr, al-Shinqīṭī, al-Saʿdī).
[223] A true Believer will abide by the Prophet’s commands without qualms.
[224] The change of qiblah.
[225] Īmān (Belief) here means Prayer which was observed in obedience of the Messenger (ﷺ) by facing the first qiblah (cf. Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī, al-Shinqīṭī). Naturally, the Believers, although unquestioningly obeying God’s command, heavy as it was, were worried about the fate of their earlier Prayers. So God, the Ever-Kind, assures them here that these are safeguarded with Him.