Tafsir of Al-A'la 87:8

{And We will facilitate for you the way to ease} is conjoined to {We will make you recite}. The statement {Indeed, He knows what is declared and what is hidden} is a parenthetical clause.

Its meaning is: We will grant you success in the path that is easiest and simplest, meaning: the memorization of the revelation. It is also said: the tolerant Law (Sharia), which is the easiest and simplest of laws to follow. It is also said: We will grant you success in the deeds of Paradise.

If you ask: The Messenger (ﷺ) was commanded to remind, whether it benefited or did not benefit, so what is the meaning of conditioning it upon benefit?

I say: It is in two ways:

First: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had exhausted his efforts in reminding them, yet they only increased in insolence and tyranny. The Prophet (ﷺ) would burn with regret and longing, increasing his diligence and eagerness in reminding them. Thus, it was said to him: {And you are not over them a tyrant. So remind by the Qur'an whoever fears My threat} (Qaf: 45), {So turn away from them and say, "Peace"} (Az-Zukhruf: 89), and {So remind, if the reminder benefits}. This was after the proof had been established against them through repeated reminders.

Second: That its outward form is a condition, but its meaning is to condemn those being reminded, to inform of their state, to express the improbability of the reminder affecting them, and to record that their hearts have been sealed. It is like saying to a preacher: "Preach to the tax collectors, if they will listen to you," intending by this condition to express the improbability of it happening.

{He will be reminded}—meaning he will accept the reminder and benefit from it—{who fears} Allah and the evil consequence, so he reflects and contemplates until his reflection leads him to follow the truth. As for these people, they are neither fearing nor reflecting, so do not hope that they will accept from you.

{But the wretched one will avoid it}—he will avoid the reminder and shun it—{the wretched one}, the disbeliever; because he is more wretched than the sinner, or he is the most wretched of the disbelievers due to his deep-seated enmity toward the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). It is said: It was revealed regarding Al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah and Utbah ibn Rabi'ah.

{The greatest Fire}—the lowest of the levels of Hell. It is also said: {The greatest} is the Fire of Hell, and the "lesser" is the fire of this world.

{Then}—it is used because the state of wavering between life and death is more horrific than the burning itself, so it is delayed in terms of the degrees of severity. The meaning is: He will not die so that he may find rest, nor will he live a life that benefits him.

{He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself * And mentions the name of his Lord and prays * But you prefer the worldly life * While the Hereafter is better and more enduring}