Surah Fussilat Tafseer

Then, if they bear the torment patiently, then the Fire is the home for them, and if they seek to please Allah, yet they are not of those who will ever be allowed to please Allah.

means, whether they bear it patiently or not, they are in the Fire and they will have no escape or way out from it, and even if they try to please Allah and offer excuses, nothing of that will be accepted from them.

Ibn Jarir said,

"The meaning of the Ayah,

وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا

(and if they seek to please Allah), is:

They will ask to go back to this world, but this plea will not be answered.

This is like the Ayah:

قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنَا شِقْوَتُنَا وَكُنَّا قَوْماً ضَألِّينَ

رَبَّنَأ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْهَا فَإِنْ عُدْنَا فَإِنَّا ظَـلِمُونَ

قَالَ اخْسَيُواْ فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ

They will say:"Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people.

Our Lord! Bring us out of this. If ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be wrongdoers."

He will say:"Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!" (23:106-108)