“And speak to him courteously, that perhaps he may ponder or have some fear.”

Allah has sent down the best of Books (the Holy Qur’an), which is consistent throughout, the one with paired statements; the hairs on the skins of those who fear their Lord, stand on end with it; then their skins and their hearts soften, inclined towards the remembrance of Allah; this is the guidance of Allah, He may guide whomever He wills with it; and whomever Allah sends astray, there is no guide for him.

The trees you had cut down or left standing on their roots was all by Allah’s permission, and in order to disgrace the sinners.