(23–29) “His companion will say, ‘Here is what I have with me, ready.’ * ‘You two, cast into Hell every obstinate disbeliever, * withholder of good, transgressor, and doubter, * who set up another god alongside Allah. So cast him into the severe punishment.’ * His companion will say, ‘Our Lord, I did not cause him to transgress; rather, he was far astray.’ * He will say, ‘Do not dispute in My presence, for I had already given you the warning. * My word cannot be changed, nor am I unjust to My servants.’”
Allah says: “His companion will say”—that is, the companion of this denying, heedless person ⦗806⦘, one of the angels whom Allah appointed to guard him and preserve his deeds. He will bring him forth on the Day of Resurrection, present his deeds, and say, “Here is what I have with me, ready.” That is: I have brought what I was charged with—guarding him and preserving his deeds—so that he may be recompensed for them.
It will be said concerning anyone who deserves the Fire: “You two, cast into Hell every obstinate disbeliever”—that is, everyone steeped in disbelief and obstinate rejection of Allah’s signs, who commits sins abundantly and brazenly violates sacred limits and perpetrates misdeeds.
“Withholder of good”—that is, he withholds the good he possesses (1), the greatest of which is faith in Allah [and His angels] (2), His Books, and His messengers. He also withholds the benefit of his wealth and physical strength. “Transgressor” against Allah’s servants and His limits (3); “doubter”—that is, one who doubts Allah’s promise and warning. Thus, he has neither faith nor good conduct. Rather, his traits are disbelief, aggression, doubt, suspicion, avarice, and taking gods besides the Most Merciful. Hence He said: “Who set up another god alongside Allah”—that is, he worshipped another besides Him, one who has no power to secure benefit or avert harm for itself, nor any power over death, life, or resurrection. “So cast him,” O two attendant angels, “into the severe punishment”—the gravest, harshest, and most hideous punishment of all.
“His companion will say”—namely Satan, disowning him and laying the blame for his sin upon him: “Our Lord, I did not cause him to transgress,” for I had no authority over him, nor any argument or proof; “rather, he was far astray.” He himself chose to go astray and distance himself from the truth. This is as Allah says in another verse: “When the matter has been decided, Satan will say, ‘Indeed, Allah promised you a true promise. I too made you a promise, but I failed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you and you responded to me. So do not blame me; blame yourselves’”—to the end of the verse (4).
Allah Most High will respond to their dispute: “Do not dispute in My presence”—that is, there is no benefit in your disputing (5) before Me—“for I had already given you the warning.” In other words, My messengers came to you with clear signs, manifest proofs, and radiant evidence. Thus, My proof against you was established and your plea was cut off, and you have come before Me bearing the deeds you sent ahead, for which recompense has become due.
“My word cannot be changed”—that is, what Allah has said and announced cannot fail to come true, for none is truer in speech or statement than Allah.
“Nor am I unjust to My servants.” Rather, I recompense them for the good and evil they have done: nothing is added (6) to their evil deeds, nor is anything deducted from their good deeds.