Al-‘asa: intense sadness. Al-‘Ajjaj said: "And his eyes overflowed from excessive sadness." His sorrow intensified for his people, then he reproached himself, saying: "So how can my sorrow intensify for a people who are not deserving of sadness for them due to their disbelief and their deserving what has befallen them?" It is possible that he means: I have fulfilled my duty to you in conveying the message, giving advice, and warning you of what has befallen you, yet you did not listen to my words nor believe me. So how can I feel sorrow for you? He means that he does not feel sorrow for them because they are not worthy of it. And Yahya ibn Wathab read: 'So how can I feel sorrow?' with the hamza being pronounced.