Tafsir of Al Imran 3:146

وكٲين من نبي قاتل معه ربيون كثير

And many a Prophet fought and along with him many Ribbiyyun. It was said that; this Ayah means that many Prophets and their companions were killed in earlier times, as is the view chosen by Ibn Jarir. It was also said that; the Ayah means that many Prophets witnessed their companions' death before their eyes. However, Ibn Ishaq mentioned another explanation in his Sirah, saying that this Ayah means, "Many a Prophet was killed, and he had many companions whose resolve did not weaken after their Prophet died, and they did not become feeble in the face of the enemy. What they suffered in Jihad in Allah's cause and for the sake of their religion did not make them lose heart. This is patience,

والله يحب الصابرين

(and Allah loves the patient).'' As-Suhayli agreed with this explanation and defended it vigorously. This view is supported by Allah saying;

معه ربيون كثير

(And along with him many Ribbiyyun). In his book about the battles, Al-Amawi mentioned only this explanation for the Ayah. Sufyan Ath-Thawri reported that, Ibn Mas`ud said that,

ربيون كثير

(many Ribbiyyun) means, thousands. Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi and Ata Al-Khurasani said that; the word Ribbiyyun means, `large bands'. Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mmar said that Al-Hasan said that,

ربيون كثير

(many Ribbiyyun) means, many scholars. He also said that it means patient and pious scholars.

فما وهنوا لما أصابهم في سبيل الله وما ضعفوا وما استكانوا

But they never lost heart for that which befell them in Allah's way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. Qatadah and Ar-Rabi bin Anas said that,

وما ضعفوا

(nor did they weaken), means, after their Prophet was killed

وما استكانوا

(nor degrade themselves), by reverting from the true guidance and religion. Rather, they fought on the path that Allah's Prophet fought on until they met Allah. Ibn Abbas said that,

وما استكانوا

(nor degrade themselves) means, nor became humiliated, while As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said that it means, they did not give in to the enemy.

والله يحب الصابرين

وما كان قولهم إﻻ أن قالوا ربنا اغفر لنا ذنوبنا وإسرافنا في أمرنا وثبت أقدامنا وانصرنا على القوم الكافرين