Al-Jawāb as-Sahīh li-man baddala dīn al-Masīh - Ibn Taimiya - (1/444)

It has been said that the intended sense is that it is an honour for them—but this view carries no weight. The Quran is an honour only for those among his people, and others besides, who believe in it; it is not an honour for all of his people, for anyone among them who rejects it is worthier of blame, just as the Exalted says:

“Perish the hands of Abu Lahab!” (al-Masad 111:1)

and He, blessed and exalted, says:

“Your people have denied it, though it is the truth.” (al-Anʿām 6:66)

This is unlike its being a reminder and an admonition, for it is a reminder both for them and for others, as the Most High says:

“Say: I ask you for no reward for this; it is nothing but a reminder for all beings.” (al-Anʿām 6:90)

Thus He encompassed all beings when He said:

“And you do not ask them for any wage for it; it is nothing but a reminder to all beings.” (Yūsuf 12:104)

وَقِيلَ: أَنَّ الْمُرَادَ أَنَّهُ شَرَفٌ لَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِشَيْءٍ، فَإِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ هُوَ شَرَفٌ لِمَنْ آمَنَ بِهِ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ وَغَيْرِهِمْ وَلَيْسَ شَرَفًا لِجَمِيعِ قَوْمِهِ، بَلْ مَنْ كَذَّبَ بِهِ مِنْهُمْ كَانَ أَحَقَّ بِالذَّمِّ، كَمَا قَالَ تَعَالَى: {تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ} [المسد: ١] . وَقَالَ تَعَالَى: {وَكَذَّبَ بِهِ قَوْمُكَ وَهُوَ الْحَقُّ} [الأنعام: ٦٦] . بِخِلَافِ كَوْنِهِ تَذْكِرَةً وَذِكْرَى ; فَإِنَّهُ تَذْكِرَةٌ لَهُمْ وَلِغَيْرِهِمْ، كَمَا قَالَ تَعَالَى: {قُلْ لَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَى لِلْعَالَمِينَ} [الأنعام: ٩٠] . فَعَمَّ الْعَالَمِينَ جَمِيعَهُمْ، فَقَالَ: {وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَمِينَ} [يوسف: ١٠٤] .