the reminder would benefit, as He says in another verse:

“So remind; you are only a reminder. You are not a controller over them.”

And He says:

“It is indeed a reminder for you and your people, and you will be questioned.”

And He says:

“And they say, ‘He is surely mad.’ Yet it is nothing but a reminder to all worlds.”

And He says:

“So that he may be a warner to all worlds.”

What they have said conveys a sound meaning. This is the view of al-Farrā’ and others like him, but none of the Quran commentators among the early generations expressed it. This is why Ahmad ibn Hanbal objected to certain statements made by al-Farrā’ and others like him, saying: “I used to think al-Farrā’ was a righteous man until I saw his book on the meanings of the Quran.”

The meaning they have stated is indicated by other verses and is an indisputable fact of the Messenger’s mission: Allah sent him to convey the message and give reminders to all humankind and jinn. But this is not the meaning of this verse. Rather, its meaning resembles His words:

“So remind with the Quran those who fear My warning.”

And His words:

“You are only a warner to those who fear it.”

And His words:

“You can only warn those who follow the reminder and fear the Most Merciful without seeing Him.”

And His words:

“It is nothing but a reminder to all worlds—for whoever among you wishes to follow the straight path.”

Thus, the Quran speaks in both general and particular terms. This is like His words:

“A guidance for the God-fearing,”

and other such passages.