Ma'ariful Qur'an (Mufti Shafi Usmani) Vol - 8
Surah As-Saff - 61
Three Groups of Christians
(So, a group from the children of israel believed, and another group disbelieved. Then We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became victorious...61:14)
Baghawi interprets this verse in the light of a narration of Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas Radhi-Allahu Anh:
Allah be pleased with him that when Prophet 'Isa (A.S) was raised to the heaven, his followers disagreed and became three groups. A group claimed that He was Himself God who went back to the heaven. The second group claimed that He Himself was not God, but God's son. God lifted him up and salvaged him from the enemies and granted him superiority. The third group proclaimed the truth and said that he was neither god nor the son of god, but he was Allah's servant and His Messenger. Allah took him away to the heaven to protect him from the enemies, and to raise his status. These people were the true believers. Different sectors of the general public attached themselves to each one of these groups. The groups clashed with one another. The two of the non-believing groups overpowered the third group, which was a group of true believers.
Eventually, Allah raised the Final Messenger of Allah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him who supported the group of the true believers. This group thus dominated the others because of their correct belief and its solid proofs confirmed by the Qur'an. [Mazhari].