Tafsir of Al-Waqi'ah 56:92

(And they are the Companions of the Left.) He expressed them with this [description] according to how they were described when clarifying their conditions by His saying, the Exalted: "Then indeed, you, O those astray, deniers." This is a condemnation of them for that, and an indication of the cause of the torment with which they have been afflicted.

Since this discourse occurred after the confirmation of their denial and its refutation in the most perfect manner—and the previous discourse did not occur in such a way—the attribute of denial was placed first here, contrary to what preceded. It is also permissible to say regarding this, on the assumption of the generality of what the denial relates to—such that it includes their denial of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in his claim of messengership—that this discourse is an information from His side, the Exalted, regarding the conditions of the three groups. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was not commanded to address those who fall under each category with every sentence of it. Thus, the attribute of denial was placed first, which includes their denial of him, peace and blessings be upon him, and which signals the cause of their affliction with torment, as an honor to him, peace and blessings be upon him, and a mention of the loftiness of his status. As for the previous discourse, since it fell within the realm of the speech that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was commanded to address those disbelievers with, it would not have been appropriate to place it first for the sake of honor, for it would then be akin to someone who praises himself saying, "He greets you with peace."

It is also permissible to say that the discourse concerns the dying disbeliever, and denial, because it is the opposite of belief, is [something that occurs] by the heart, and it does not become disabled like the other limbs; therefore, it was placed first here. This is supported by what they have said in the funeral prayer: "O Allah, whoever among us You keep alive, keep him alive upon Islam, and whoever among us You take in death, take him in death upon faith," regarding the aspect of specifying Islam with life and faith with death.

The Imam said regarding this: "The intention by 'astray' there is what emanated from them of persistence in the great sin (breaking the oath), so they strayed from the path of Allah, the Exalted, and did not reach it; then they denied His messengers and said: 'When we have died...'—so they denied the resurrection. Thus, the Exalted said: 'O those astray'—you who committed shirk—'the deniers'—you who denied the resurrection—'will surely eat from trees of Zaqqum.' As for here, the Exalted said to them: 'O you deniers'—who denied the resurrection—'the astray'—from the path of salvation, who are not guided to the bliss."

In this, there is another perspective: that the address there is to the disbelievers, so the Exalted said: "O you who committed shirk first, and denied second." The address here is to the Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, clarifying for him, peace and blessings be upon him, the condition of the three groups, as is indicated by "Then [for him is] peace." So the Exalted said: "The foremost are in spirit, fragrance, and a garden of bliss," and "The companions of the right are in peace." As for the deniers who denied you and strayed, their denial was brought forward as an indication of his honor, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, as it clarifies that the strongest cause for their punishment is their denial.

This is to be taken with contemplation, fairness, and by looking at what was said, not at who said it.

And His saying, the Exalted: [...]