"And speak to him with gentle speech," I heard some of the Kufans say in the interpretation of this: Address him by his kunya (agnomen). "Perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]." Al-Suddi said: The alif here is...
﴿فقولا لَهُ قولا لينًا﴾ سَمِعْتُ بَعْضَ الْكُوفِيِّينَ يَقُولُ فِي تَفْسِيرِ ذَلِكَ: كَنِّيَاهُ ﴿لَعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَو يخْشَى﴾ قَالَ السُّدِّيُّ: الْأَلِفُ هَا هُنَا
