And the situation is that he means by saying, "And they denied it," this punishment or the Qur'an which includes the promise and the warning, and the causes that clarify to the creation all that benefits them so they may adhere to it, and all that harms them so they may beware of it. "Your people," meaning those whose right it is to support all your matters and rejoice in your leadership; for when one of their tribe becomes prominent, they are honored by him. His honor is their honor, and his nobility is their nobility, especially if he is from a noble family and a source of leadership. And if one of them falls low, they become greatly concerned about him and cover his faults as much as they can, for his disgrace is attached to them. This is a great reproach for them and a subtle reprimand. This is further emphasized by His saying, "And it is the truth," meaning the established truth that is not harmed by their denial and cannot be removed.

And since a person may sometimes be blamed because of his people, the Prophet ﷺ was in this position, at risk of fearing the consequence of that and saying, "What should I do with them?" So Allah, the Exalted, taught him: There is no harm upon him from their denial. "Say, I am not," and He preceded the preposition to emphasize it, expressing it with the tool indicating dominance and superiority. He said, "Upon you is a guardian," meaning a protector and overseer to compel you to respond to what you are in.