The primary sense of an imperative is a request for an act, but context can convey twelve major rhetorical functions. The chart identifies the dominant function in the examples; rhetorical effects are not always mutually exclusive.
PurposePrimary clue
Duʿāʾ / IltimāsHumble supplication / request to an equal
Tamannī / IrshādWish / beneficial counsel
Tahdīd / TaʿjīzThreat / demonstration of inability
Ihānah / IbāḥahHumiliation / permission
Imtinān / TakhyīrReminder of favor / choice
Taswiyah / IkrāmEqual outcome / honoring welcome
Recognizing any one purpose requires more than noticing imperative morphology: speaker, listener, neighboring words and the expected result must be considered together.