a precedent and an example for later generations.” And the Exalted says:

“In their stories there is certainly a lesson for people of understanding.”

Section

His words:

“Whoever fears will take heed,”

imply that everyone who fears will take heed. Fear may arise after the reminder or before it. His words “whoever fears” are unrestricted. Some people suppose this means that a person must first have experienced fear in order to take heed, but that is not so.

Rather, this is like His words:

“A guidance for the God-fearing,”

and His words:

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

and His words:

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

and His words:

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

A person only feared the warning after hearing it; he had received no such warning before hearing the Quran. Likewise, His words:

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

A person only followed the Reminder and feared the Most Merciful after the Messenger had warned him. They may not have feared it before the warning, nor have been God-fearing before hearing