Tafsir of Al-A'la 87:11

Surah Al-A'la (The Most High): Verse 11

وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا الْأَشْقَى And the most wretched will avoid it [the Reminder].

Know that We have already explained that the divisions of creation are three: the Knowers (Al-'Arifun), those who pause/are hesitant (Al-Mutawaqqifun), and the Obstinate Adversaries (Al-Mu'anidun).

We have also clarified that the first two groups must possess fear (khawf) and awe (khashyah). The one possessing awe must listen to the Call (ad-da'wah) and benefit from it. Therefore, the Most Wretched (al-Ashqa) is the Obstinate Adversary who neither listens to the Call nor benefits from it. This is why the Almighty said: {And the most wretched will avoid it, [He] who will burn in the Greatest Fire}.

Regarding this, there are two issues:

They mentioned several interpretations for the term {the Greatest Fire}:

1. Al-Hasan said: The Greatest Fire is the Fire of Hell (Jahannam), and the lesser fire (as-Sughra) is the fire of this world.
2. There are varying degrees of fires and depths (darajat) in the Hereafter, just as there are varying degrees of sins and transgressions in this world. Just as the disbeliever is the most wretched of sinners, he will suffer the greatest of the fires.
3. The Greatest Fire is the lowest depth (an-Nar as-Sufla), which afflicts the disbelievers, as the Almighty stated: {Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire} (An-Nisa: 145).

They mentioned that this verse was revealed concerning Al-Walid, 'Utbah, and Abu [Jahl]. However, you know that the lesson is derived from the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the cause, especially since we have established the validity of this ordering through rational proof.

Someone might argue: Allah mentions two groups here: one who remembers and fears, and the other, the Most Wretched, who burns in the Greatest Fire. The existence of "The Most Wretched" (al-Ashqa) implies the existence of "The Wretched" (ash-Shaqi). What is the status of this implied group?

The Answer: The term al-Ashqa does not necessitate the existence of ash-Shaqi (a lesser degree of wretchedness). Such terms can be used without direct comparison, like His saying: {The companions of Paradise, that Day, will be better in lodging and more pleasant in resting place} (Al-Furqan: 24).

Another opinion suggests the meaning is: "And the wretched one (ash-Shaqi) who burns in the fire will avoid it," similar to His saying: {And it is easier for Him} (Ar-Rum: 27), meaning it is easy for Him. It is also like the poet's saying:

However, the sound position is what we previously mentioned: the three distinctions are the Knower, the Hesitant, and the Obstinate Adversary. The Fortunate (as-Sa'id) is the Knower. The Hesitant has some degree of wretchedness. And The Most Wretched (al-Ashqa) is the Obstinate Adversary, whom we described as one who pays no heed to the Call and avoids listening to it.

As for His saying:

{Then neither will he die therein nor will he live.}