The perceptibility indicates that their shameful attributes multiply to the extent they are embodied palpably in the disgusted person’s view. This also alludes to the reason for their loss.
The distance [expressed by “these (lit. those) (ūlā’ika)”] indicates that they are too far from the way of truth to turn back, and therefore deserve to be censured and execrated, contrarily to those who repent and are within easy reach of return.
“They (hum)” indicates that the loss is restricted to them, and that if the believers suffer the loss of some worldly pleasures it is not loss, and that compared with their loss, the loss of some worldly people in their businesses is not loss [either].
The definite article denotes [specific] facts and [classes of things]; that is, anyone who wants to see the truth about the losers should look at them. It is a sign too that their way [results in] pure loss, unlike other sorts of losses, which may contain aspects of gain; the harm is greater. For the definite article is [used] for [things that are] either total or self-evident, or to depict a [specific] fact.
The generality of the loss [that is, its not being defined] indicates [its comprehensiveness]; that is, they have lost by not remaining faithful to the covenant and breaching it; they have lost in [connection with] family relations by severing them, and in [connection with] reform by spreading corruption, and in [connection with] belief through disbelief, and in their wretchedness they have lost eternal happiness.