“And they will say, ‘Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the wicked? Did we take them as objects of ridicule, or have our eyes missed them? Indeed, this is surely true: the disputing of the people of the Fire.’”
“And they will say,” while in the Fire, “Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the wicked?” That is, we used to claim that they were among the wicked and deserved the punishment of the Fire. They are referring to the believers. The people of the Fire—may Allah disgrace them—will search for them, wondering whether they can see them in the Fire.
“Did we take them as objects of ridicule, or have our eyes missed them?” That is, our failure to see them admits of two possibilities. Either we were mistaken in counting them among the wicked, for they were actually among the righteous, and what we said about them was merely ridicule and derision. This is indeed the reality, as Allah Most High says to the people of the Fire:
“Indeed, there was a group among My servants who said, ‘Our Lord, we believe, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, for You are the best of those who show mercy.’ But you made them objects of ridicule until they caused you to forget My remembrance, and you used to laugh at them.”
The second possibility is that they think: perhaps our eyes have missed them and prevented us from seeing them here with us in the punishment. Otherwise, they are being punished alongside us, but our eyes have simply passed over them.
It may be that this is genuinely what lies in their hearts: the convictions they held in this world, together with how often they judged the believers to be destined for the Fire, took such firm hold of their hearts that they became deeply ingrained in them. Thus, they entered the Fire in this state and said what they said.
It is also possible that their words are a disingenuous attempt to obscure the truth. Just as they dissembled in this world, they dissemble even in the Fire. Hence, the people of the Heights will say to the people of the Fire:
“Are these the ones concerning whom you swore that Allah would never grant them mercy? Enter Paradise! You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve.”
Allah Most High then confirms what He has related—and He is the most truthful of speakers: “Indeed, this”—which I have related to you—“is surely true,” containing no doubt or uncertainty: “the disputing of the people of the Fire.”