he will accept advice.” All such expressions fall into this category. They command full counsel that is accepted, if he will accept it, while also commanding that counsel be offered even if he rejects it, and censuring him in the latter case.

Likewise, His words:

“So remind, if the reminder benefits.”

He commands that everyone be reminded. If a person benefits, his taking heed is complete and beneficial. Otherwise, the basic act of reminding has taken place, establishing the proof against him and showing that he deserves blame and rebuke.

Moreover, He, glorified be He, only said:

“If the reminder benefits.”

He did not say, “Remind only those whom the reminder benefits,” as in His words:

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

There, the command to remind is specific. It has come in both general and specific forms, just as the Quran addresses people with “O mankind,” which is general, and “O you who believe,” which is specific to those who believe in the Quran.

There He said:

“For the reminder benefits the believers.”

Here He said:

“He who fears will take heed.”

“But the most wretched will avoid it.”

He did not say, “He who fears will benefit.” For the benefit attained through reminding is broader than the taking heed of those who fear. When he reminds, the proof is established against everyone. As for the most wretched, who avoids the reminder, reminding him establishes the proof against him and makes him deserving of punishment in this world and the Hereafter.