Meanings of the word ummah in the Qur’aan
Question

                Whilst reading the Qur’aan I have come across the word “ummah” several times and I have the feeling that it has numerous meanings, not just one meaning. Is this correct? How should we understand this word?
Praise be to Allah. 
          Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have 
          mercy on him) said: 
 
          The word ummah is used in four senses in the Qur’aan: 
 
          1 – The word ummah is used to mean a period of 
          time, as in the aayahs (interpretation of the meanings): 
 
          “And if We delay the torment for them till a determined 
          term [ila ummatin ma’doodah]”[Hood 11:8] 
 
          “Then the man who was released (one of the two who 
          were in prison), now at length [ba’da ummatin] remembered”[Yoosuf 12:45]
 
          2 – It is used to mean a group of people, which is the 
          usual usage, as in the aayahs (interpretation of the meaning): 
 
          “he found there a group of men [ummatan min al-naas] 
          watering (their flocks)”[al-Qasas 28:23] 
 
          “And for every Ummah (community or nation) there is 
          a Messenger”[Yoonus 10:47] 
 
          “Mankind were one community [ummah]”[al-Baqarah 2:213]
 
          and there are other similar aayahs. 
 
          3 – The word ummah is used to refer to a man who 
          is taken as a leader, as in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): 
 
          “Verily, Ibraaheem (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader 
          having all the good righteous qualities)”[al-Nahl 16:120]
 
          4 – The word ummah is used to mean a way or religion, 
          as in the aayahs (interpretation of the meanings): 
 
          “They say: “We found our fathers following a certain 
          way and religion [ummah]”[al-Zukhruf 43:23]
 
          “Truly, this, your Ummah [Sharee‘ah or religion (Islamic 
          Monotheism)] is one religion”[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:92]
 
          and there are other similar aayahs.