Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:111

"And your followers" (wa-attaba‘uka): It is read as wa-atba‘uka (plural of tābi‘, like shāhid and ashhād), or as wa-tuba‘uka (plural of taba‘, like baṭal and abṭāl). The wāw is for the circumstantial state (ḥāl), and it is grammatically required that qad be implied after it (i.e., wa-qad ittaba‘aka).

"The lowest of the people" (al-ardhalūn): The plural of ardhal is formed both soundly and broken. Ar-radhālah and an-nadhālah mean baseness and ignobility. They deemed them "lowest" only because of their low lineage and lack of worldly portion. It is said they were people of menial trades, such as weaving and cupping. However, a trade does not disparage one’s religion.

This is how the Quraysh spoke of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The followers of the Prophets have always been such, to the point that it became one of their hallmarks and signs. Do you not see Heraclius, when he asked Abu Sufyan about the followers of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? When he replied, "The weak of the people and their lowest," he said, "The followers of the Prophets have always been such."

• Ibn ‘Abbas: They are the rabble (al-ghāghah).
• ‘Ikrimah: The weavers and the cobblers.
• Muqatil: The dregs of society (as-safalah).

{ He said, "And what knowledge have I of what they used to do? Their account is only with my Lord, if you could perceive. And I am not one to drive away the believers. I am only a clear warner." }