“And when a group among them said, ‘Why do you admonish a people whom Allah will destroy or punish with a severe punishment?’ They said, ‘As an excuse before your Lord, and perhaps they may become mindful of Him.’ ⦗164⦘ Then, when they disregarded what they had been reminded of, We saved those who forbade evil and seized the wrongdoers with a grievous punishment because of their defiance. ⦗165⦘”

His saying, exalted is He: “And when a group among them said, ‘Why do you admonish a people whom Allah will destroy?’” The scholars differed regarding those who said this,