the pattern of the singular.
"The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it," meaning: when they are reminded of the threat of Allah [in it]. "Then their skins and their hearts soften at the remembrance of Allah," meaning: when they are reminded of their righteous deeds, their hearts and skins softened toward the promise of Allah which He promised them.
Muhammad said: It has also been said: The meaning is: when the verses of punishment are mentioned, the skins of those who fear Allah shiver, then their skins and hearts soften when the verses of mercy are mentioned.
مِثَال الْوَاحِد.
﴿تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذين يَخْشونَ رَبهم﴾ إِذا ذكرُوا وَعِيد اللَّه [فِيهِ] ﴿ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذكر الله﴾ إِذا ذكرُوا أَعْمَالهم الصَّالِحَة , لانت قُلُوبهم وجلودهم إِلَى وعد اللَّه الَّذِي وعدهم.
قَالَ محمدٌ: وَقيل: الْمَعْنى: إِذا ذكرت آيَات الْعَذَاب , اقشعرَّت جُلُود الْخَائِفِينَ لله , ثمَّ تلين جلودُهم وَقُلُوبهمْ إِذا ذكرت آيَات الرَّحْمَة.
