فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلاً لَّيِّناً لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَى

44. "But speak to him with gentle words, so that he might reflect and be mindful or feel some awe (of me, and behave with humility)."⁹

9. The tentative form of the phrase so that he might ponder, as well as similar phrases that frequently exist in the Qur'ān, never implies any doubt on God's part. Rather, it relates to the intention or hope with which the Messengers (and other addressees) should approach their task.