Why did Allah Almighty say, "before [this] among our people," then Subhanahu [Glorified be He] said, "Indeed, we used to invoke Him before"?

The mention of "min" (from) in the phrase "inna kunna min qablu" (indeed, we were from before) and its omission in the phrase "inna kunna qablu" (indeed, we were before) may be a stylistic variation or for emphasis on generality. Al-Zarkashi held the view that "qablu" in the first verse specifically referred to this world, whereas "min qablu" in the second verse encompassed both this world and the hereafter. Abu Hayyan believed that "min qablu" means before meeting Allah and returning to Him.