Also remember a faction among them asked: "Why do you admonish a people whom Lord Allah will destroy or punish with a severe punishment?" They said: "To get an excuse from your Lord and that they may become heedful".
The people of the town were of three categories: (1) Those who were doing forbidden deeds insolently, (2) Those who kept silent without preventing the evils after seeing, and (3) Those who commanded with the good and forbid the evil. Here, the second category was asking the third category why they admonish a people whom Lord will destroy or punish with a severe punishment? Then the third category replied that they are advising them to get an excuse near the Lord, and if they become heedful by avoiding their transgression and aggression, it will be better for all of them. See explanation 5: 105; 7: 205-206, and 11: 116-117.