Every Steadfast, Appreciative Person

“These are lessons/proofs for every steadfast, appreciative person.” (14:5)

The phrase “inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-kulli ṣabbārin shakūr (These are lessons/proofs for every steadfast, appreciative person)” appears word-for-word four times in the Quran: in verses 14:5, 31:31, 34:19, and 42:33.

Interestingly, the sum of these verses (14+5+31+31+34+19+42+33) is 209, which equals 19 x 11.

The repetition of this statement aims to deeply root it in the reader’s memory. Despite the varying contexts of these verses, this recurrent phrasing functions as a pedagogical device, teaching God’s immutable system.

This divine system ties the sincerity of faith to the acquisition of two fundamental qualities: patience and gratitude. These qualities do not refer to occasional reactions but rather to enduring dispositions of the soul. In their absence, the instructive signs of God remain inaccessible.

The two adjectives - ṣabbār and shakūr - are hyperbolic forms. They are built on intensive patterns (ṣīghat

al-mubālaghah), common in the Quranic lexicon, which express the permanence or intensity of a trait.

Ṣabbār derives from the root ṣ-b-r, connoting restraint, self-control, endurance, and steadfastness in adversity. The noun ṣabr literally means “to contain oneself.” In its intensive form, ṣabbār thus denotes an active, tenacious, unwavering patience.
Shakūr stems from the root š-k-r, which refers to thanking or being grateful. The intensive adjective describes a recurrent, deep, sincere gratitude directed towards the Benefactor.

In Quranic ethics, patience and gratitude are pillars of authentic submission. Their complementarity spans all moral circumstances. This reveals a profoundly dynamic conception of faith: the believer alternates between patience during adversity and gratitude during prosperity, thus remaining in the awareness of God in all conditions.

These qualities stand in contrast with ingratitude and impatience, which are linked to disbelief and straying. Notably, the term kufr originally means

both ingratitude and disbelief—two interlinked meanings, as the disbeliever is one who “covers up” or denies God’s favors.

The phrase li-kulli ṣabbārin shakūr appears in four distinct narrative contexts, showcasing its wide applicability. It serves as a rhetorical motif.

In 14:5–7  God recalls the mission of Moses, sent to bring the Children of Israel out from darkness into light. After the trial of slavery comes liberation. Moses exhorts His people to remember His favors with gratitude.

Through His messenger, God addresses His listeners, inviting them to become steadfast, appreciate persons (ṣabbārīn shakūrīn) in order to understand the lessons of the sacred history. This process is an address formula (intifāl). This feature, characteristic of Qur’anic discourse, creates a direct connection between God, who speaks, and the believer, who is being addressed.

In 34:15–19 these verses narrate the decline of the people of Saba’ after a period of prosperity. They lost God’s blessings due to their ingratitude.

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