| An-Nahl (The Bees): (84-85) And the Day We raise up from...

It should be known that when the Almighty explained the state of those people—that they recognized God's favor yet denied it, and mentioned that most of them were disbelievers—He followed this with a warning.

He then mentioned the state of the Day of Resurrection, saying:

{And the Day We raise up from every nation a witness}

This indicates that those witnesses will testify against them concerning that denial and that disbelief. These witnesses are the Prophets, just as the Almighty said:

{So how will it be when We bring from each nation a witness and bring you [O Muhammad] as a witness against them?} (An-Nisa: 41)

And regarding His saying:

{then permission will not be given to those who disbelieved}

There are several interpretations for this:

1. They will not be permitted to offer excuses, as stated in: {nor will they be permitted to make excuses} (Al-Mursalat: 36).
2. They will not be permitted to speak excessively.
3. They will not be permitted to return to the dwelling of this world or to the obligation of accountability (Taklīf).
4. They will not be permitted [to speak] while the witnesses are testifying; rather, all the assembled people will remain silent so that the witnesses may testify.
5. They will not be permitted to speak excessively so that their state of despair from God's mercy becomes clear to them.

Then He said:

{nor will they be allowed to seek recourse [for repentance]}

Al-Isti'tāb (seeking recourse) is seeking reproach or blame. A person seeks reproach from an opponent only when they are certain that if the opponent blames them, they will return to satisfaction. If they do not seek reproach, it indicates that the opponent is firmly established in their anger and might.

Then, the Almighty emphasized this warning, saying:

{And when those who wronged see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them}

The meaning is that when the polytheists see the punishment and reach it, the punishment will not be lightened for them.

{nor will they be granted respite}

Meaning, they will not be delayed or given a reprieve, because repentance is absent at that time. The verification of this, as stated by the theologians, is that the punishment must be pure, devoid of any element of benefit—which is what is meant by {it will not be lightened for them}. Furthermore, the punishment must be perpetual—which is what is meant by {nor will they be granted respite}.