Nor should it be said, “He has no need of the command.” Rather, it is through the command that he becomes obedient and deserving of an immense reward. A prohibition, however, presupposes that he is capable of doing what is forbidden and that, were he to will it, he would do it, so that when he refrains from it, he may be rewarded for doing so. It may also presuppose the presence of a motive urging him to do it, in which case he is forbidden to do it. Through the prohibition and Allah’s help in obeying it, he refrains from what he has been forbidden, even when a motive urging him towards it is present.

Likewise, concerning His words,

“Ask the Children of Israel,”

it has been said that this is a command to the Messenger, intended to include both him and the believers. It has also been said that it is a command to everyone accountable before Allah. Thus, His command in this surah,

“Read,”

is like His command at its conclusion,

“Prostrate and draw near,”

and His words,

“So do not oppress the orphan,”

“And do not rebuff the one who asks,”

“And proclaim the blessings of your Lord.”

This encompasses the entire Muslim community. His words,

“O you wrapped in garments,”

“Stand in prayer at night, except for a little,”

were addressed to all the believers. The same applies to His words,

“O you covered in your cloak,”

“Arise and warn,”

when the Messenger was commanded to convey the warning revealed to him. This is a collective obligation. The Muslim community must therefore convey what was revealed to him and warn as he warned. Allah Most High says:

“Why, then, should not a group from each section of them go forth to gain understanding of the religion and warn their people when they return to them, so that they may