Taking heed in a way that leads to good may come about through either of these, as Allah Most High says:

“How many generations We destroyed before them who were mightier than they and had ranged through the lands! Was there any escape?”

“Indeed, in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or lends an ear with full attention.”

The second benefit:

Taking heed is a cause of fear, and fear results from taking heed. He therefore mentions taking heed, which is the cause, and fear, which is the outcome, even though the one entails the other. Likewise, He says:

“Indeed, in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or lends an ear with full attention.”

And the people of the Fire say:

“If only we had listened or used our reason, we would not be among the inhabitants of the Blaze.”

He also says:

“Have they not traveled through the land so that they might have hearts with which to understand or ears with which to hear? It is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts within the breasts.”

Either of these two ways brings salvation because each entails the other. Whoever listens to what the messengers have brought in a manner that enables him to understand what they have said will be saved.

Otherwise, hearing without understanding will not benefit him, as He says:

“Some of them listen to you, but when they leave your presence, they say to those who have been given knowledge, ‘What did he say just now?’ Those are the ones whose hearts Allah has sealed.”

He also says:

“Some of them listen to you. But can you make the deaf hear, even though they do not understand?”

And He says:

“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand.”