Surah Al-A'laa (87) — Ayah 9

(Ayah 9 to 11) {فَذَكِّرْ اِنْ نَّفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰى … :} "So remind, if the reminder benefits." Here, a question arises: if the reminder does not benefit, should one stop reminding? The answer is: absolutely not; rather, it is necessary to keep reminding. So then, what is the meaning of the verse? Among the various interpretations of the verse, three are closer: (1) In Tafsir Thanai, it is mentioned that based on this verse, some people stop admonishing misguided people, saying that the command to admonish is only when admonition is beneficial, otherwise not; this is their mistake. In the verse, {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} is that unless a person knows with absolute proof that a certain person will not benefit from admonition, the place of {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} remains, and absolute proof is only divine revelation. Without revelation, there is always the possibility that admonition may be beneficial, so unless you know from divine revelation that admonition will not benefit someone, keep admonishing. Obviously, you do not have divine revelation, so you should always keep admonishing. (In summary)

(2) The second interpretation is that {’’ فَذَكِّرْ اِنْ نَّفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰى ‘‘} ("Remind, if the reminder benefits") does not mean that you should admonish only the one who benefits and not the other, because this cannot be known; rather, it means admonish if even one person benefits. As if the object of {’’ نَفَعَتْ‘‘} is omitted, that is, {’’ إِنْ نَفَعَتِ الذِّكْرٰي أَحَدًا ‘‘}, and it is clear that someone or the other does benefit, so you should keep admonishing everyone. {’’ سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَنْ يَّخْشٰى … ‘‘} Then the one who fears will accept, and the wretched will avoid; your job is to keep admonishing in the hope that the admonition will benefit someone.

(3) The third interpretation is that {’’ اِنْ ‘‘} the conditional particle {’’إِذْ‘‘} is in the meaning of "when," that is, admonish when admonition is beneficial. Take into account the time and place; untimely words are not effective. When you see that they are inclined to listen, then admonish, and when they are stubborn and rebellious, then withdraw; this does not mean to abandon admonition altogether. Musa (peace be upon him) did not stop admonishing Pharaoh, nor did Nuh and other prophets (peace be upon them) stop admonishing their nations until punishment came upon them.

9. 1. That is, give admonition and advice where it is felt that it will be beneficial; this is a principle and etiquette stated for admonition, advice, and teaching. According to Imam Shawkani, the meaning is that you should continue to give advice, whether it benefits or not, because in both cases, the manner and propagation were necessary for you.

So remind, if the reminder benefits [8].

[8] That is, when you see that your admonition is benefiting people, then keep admonishing such people repeatedly. And those who react negatively to admonition, start mocking, or become oppositional, then refrain from admonishing such people. It should be clear that da'wah (invitation and propagation) is one thing, and admonition and advice is another. The responsibility of the Prophet is to convey Allah’s message to all people, whether they accept it or take offense. But admonition and advice are only for those who are ready to benefit from them, not for everyone. Rather, only for the one who has some fear of Allah in his heart, and for the one who does not fear at all, admonition and advice have no meaning.