Then he explained their punishment by saying - emphasizing his astonishment at them; because their action is deserving of being denied; for no rational person can believe that anyone would be arrogant towards it; because there is nothing more just than it -: ﴿Indeed, they were﴾; meaning: always ﴿when it was said to them﴾; meaning: from any speaker it was; ﴿There is no god﴾; meaning: it is possible; and when the possible is negated, the existent is more deserving; for nothing exists except what can exist; even if it is necessary; ﴿except Allah﴾; meaning: the supreme king who is distinct from all existents in His essence; and His attributes; and His actions; just as (p-226) it is the truth; to single Him out with divinity; just as He is unique in creation; as is not hidden from one who has the slightest grasp of the attributes of perfection; and he preceded the negation because the adornment can only occur after the purification; ﴿They are arrogant﴾; meaning: they exhibit arrogance against acknowledging this truth; which is the most just of all; and against following the caller to it; the arrogance of one who seeks pride from himself; and from others; due to what is in it of stubbornness and haughtiness; so there was no barrier for them from the seven gates of Hell; which every word of this word, along with its witness bearing witness to His sending, was a barrier from one of them; otherwise, there would have been in some of their days - which number the letters of them, twenty-four - goodness that would save them from the hardships.