and their acts of disobedience. It was also said that what they had concealed was their statement, “By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists.” They concealed their polytheism and denied it, until their limbs bore witness against them concerning what they had hidden and covered up. For they did not conceal their disbelief in this world—unless the verse is understood to refer to the hypocrites. Al-Mubarrad said: Rather, the recompense for what they used to conceal became apparent to them. Al-Naḍr ibn Shumayl said: Rather, it became apparent from them.

Then He says: “Even if they were sent back” to this world, “they would return to what”—that is, to what—“they had been forbidden,” namely disbelief. “Indeed, they are liars” in their saying, “If we were sent back to this world, we would not deny the signs of our Lord and would be among the believers.”

“And they say, ‘There is nothing but this worldly life of ours, and we will not be resurrected.’” This reports their denial of the Resurrection. ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Zayd ibn Aslam said: This is part of what they would say if they were sent back.

His saying, exalted is He: “If only you could see when they are made to stand before their Lord”—that is, before His judgment, decree, and questioning. It was also said: they will be presented before their Lord. “He will say” to them; and it was also said that the keepers will say to them by Allah’s command: “Is this not the truth?” That is, is this Resurrection and punishment not the truth? They will say, “Yes, by our Lord, it is indeed true.” Ibn ‘Abbas said: This will occur at one station, while their statement, “By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists,” will occur at another station. The Day of Resurrection has various stations: at one station they will confess, and at another they will deny. “He will say, ‘Then taste the punishment for your disbelief.’”

“Those who deny the meeting with Allah have certainly lost, until, when the Hour comes upon them suddenly, they will say, ‘Alas for us, for what we neglected concerning it,’ while they bear their burdens on their backs. Unquestionably, evil is what they bear. (31) The life of this world is nothing but play and amusement, but the home of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah. Will you not then understand? (32) We certainly know that what they say grieves you. Yet it is not you whom they deny; rather, the wrongdoers reject the signs of Allah. (33)”

“Those who deny the meeting with Allah have certainly lost”: that is, they have lost themselves by denying their return to Allah through resurrection after death. “Until, when the Hour comes upon them”—that is, the Day of Resurrection—“suddenly,” meaning unexpectedly, “they will say, ‘Alas for our regret!’”—that is, our remorse—[expressed] (1) in the vocative form for emphasis. Sibawayh said: It is as though he says, “O regret, this is your time.” “For what we neglected,” that is, what we fell short in, “concerning it,” meaning in obedience. It was also said: what we left undone in this world of deeds for the Hereafter.