16
Muqatil said: the events by which Allah dealt with the earlier nations. One says, “So-and-so is knowledgeable of the Days of the Arabs,” meaning their battles and notable events. What is meant by the Days of Allah is the blessings and trials that occurred therein; the Days alone were mentioned in place of these because they were known to them. (1)
“Indeed, in that are signs for every steadfast and grateful person.” The term “steadfast” refers to one who is greatly patient, and “grateful” to one who gives abundant thanks. What is meant is every believer, for patience and gratitude are among the qualities of the believers.
(1) Al-Tabari cited this view and the evidence they adduced for it. Ibn Atiyyah said in al-Muharrar al-Wajiz (8:203): “The term al-ayyam (days) encompasses both meanings, because the reminder may be made in both respects.”
وَقَالَ مُقَاتِلٌ: بِوَقَائِعِ اللَّهِ فِي الْأُمَمِ السَّالِفَةِ. يُقَالُ: فُلَانٌ عَالِمٌ بِأَيَّامِ الْعَرَبِ، أَيْ بِوَقَائِعِهِمْ، وَإِنَّمَا أَرَادَ بِمَا كَانَ فِي أَيَّامِ اللَّهِ مِنَ النِّعْمَةِ وَالْمِحْنَةِ، فَاجْتَزَأَ بِذِكْرِ الْأَيَّامِ عَنْهَا لِأَنَّهَا كَانَتْ مَعْلُومَةً عِنْدَهُمْ (١) .
﴿إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِكُلِ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ﴾ وَ"الصَّبَّارُ": الْكَثِيرُ الصَّبْرِ، وَ"الشَّكُورُ": الْكَثِيرُ الشُّكْرِ، وَأَرَادَ: لِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ، لِأَنَّ الصَّبْرَ وَالشُّكْرَ مِنْ خِصَالِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.
(١) ورد الطبري هذا القول والشاهد الذي استشهدوا به على ذلك، وقال ابن عطية في المحرر الوجيز: (٨ / ٢٠٣) : "ولفظة الأيام" تعم المعنيين، لأن التذكير يقع بالوجهين جميعا".