Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:6

(Fa-qad kadhabu): That is, they have treated the Reminder (al-dhikr) that comes to them with explicit denial, accompanied by mockery of it. They were not content with merely turning away from it, for they labeled it at times as magic, at other times as the legends of the ancients, and at still other times as poetry.

Some scholars have stated: It means they have persisted in denial. Their denial occurred even with the arrival of that which necessitates desisting—such as the repeated coming of the Reminder—just as they denied it the first time. To draw attention to this, the expression used is one that denotes occurrence, implying the consideration of the mockery that accompanied it, as indicated by His saying, Exalted is He: (Fa-sa-ya’tihim anba’u ma kanu bihi yastahzi’un).

This is because it requires that the mockery precede it. It has been said: This is due to the fact that turning away and denial are indicative of mockery. The "tidings" (anba’) of that refer to the punishments, both immediate and delayed, that will befall them; and everything that is to come is near. It is also said: It refers to the punishment of the Day of Badr or the Day of Resurrection. The first interpretation is more appropriate.

The term "tidings" (anba’) was used for this because it is something the Magnificent Quran has foretold, or because by witnessing it, they will arrive at the truth of the Quran's status, just as they arrive at matters hidden from them by hearing tidings. In this, there is an intimidation regarding it, for "naba’" (tidings) is applied to significant news that carries great weight. That is, there will come to them, inevitably, the manifestation of that which they used to mock beforehand, without them having reflected upon its nature or comprehended it.

And His saying, Exalted is He: