Surah An Nahl Tafseer

The Plight of the Idolators on the Day of Judgement

Allah says:

وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا

And on the Day when We resurrect a witness from each nation,

Allah tells about the predicament of the idolators on the Day when they will be resurrected in the realm of the Hereafter. He will raise a witness from every nation - that is - their Prophet, to testify about their response to the Message he conveyed from Allah.

ثُمَّ لَا يُوْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ

then, those who disbelieved will not be given leave.

meaning, they will not be allowed to offer any excuse, as Allah says:

هَـذَا يَوْمُ لَا يَنطِقُونَ

وَلَا يُوْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ

That will be a Day when they do not speak. And they will not be permitted to present any excuse. (77:35-36)

Hence, Allah says:

وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ