وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٍ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَّقَامًا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا
Important Words:
ندیاً (assembly) is derived from ندا. They say ندا القوم i.e. the people gathered and came to a meeting. ندی means, النادی i.e. an assembly (Aqrab).
Commentary:
آیات (Signs) are those proofs and arguments based on reason, intellect and experience, which point to the existence of a thing, its aim and purpose, and establish it. آیات بینات (manifest Signs) are those Signs and arguments or reasons which not only point to the existence of a thing and prove it but are quite suited to the occasion and to the problem which they are intended to prove, and they have a very noble and sublime purpose to serve which they eminently do.
This verse shows that Western nations are very proud of their material pomp and wealth and are proud also of their civilization and culture, the order of their society and their way of life and their military organizations and vast numbers.
Mere 'Signs' are those proofs and arguments based on reason, intellect and experience which point to the existence of a thing, its aim and purpose, and establish it. But 'manifest Signs' are those Signs and arguments or reasons which not only point to the existence of a thing and prove it, but are quite suited to the occasion and to the problem they are intended to prove and which also have a very noble and sublime purpose to serve, that they eminently do.