(96–97) “Indeed, those against whom your Lord’s decree has come into effect will not believe, even if every sign were to come to them, until they see the painful punishment.”

Allah Most High says: “Indeed, those against whom your Lord’s decree has come into effect”—that is, they are among the misguided and wayward, the people of the Fire. They will inevitably meet what Allah has predestined and decreed. Thus, they will not believe even if every sign were to come to them; the signs only increase them in rebellion and add further error to their error.

Allah did not wrong them; rather, they wronged themselves by rejecting the truth when it first came to them. Allah therefore punished them by sealing their hearts, their hearing, and their sight, so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment they were promised.

Then they will know with absolute certainty that the path they followed was misguidance and that what the messengers brought them was the truth. But this will be at a time when their faith will be of no avail whatsoever. On that Day, the excuses of the wrongdoers will not benefit them, nor will they be given an opportunity to make amends. As for the signs, they benefit whoever has a heart or lends an attentive ear while fully present.