And when the decree was: So the word of Allah was fulfilled upon them for their taking on this argument that they are the companions of the Fire in which they argued. He turned to His saying: ﴿And likewise﴾ meaning that like what our word was fulfilled upon them with punishment, they could not escape from its rights. ﴿It was fulfilled﴾ with punishment and retribution. ﴿The word﴾ and He directed the speech to the attribute of kindness, out of gentleness towards him ﷺ and as a glad tidings for him of being gentle with his people. He said: ﴿Your Lord﴾ meaning the Benefactor to you with all kinds of kindness, for He does not abandon your enemies.

And when the context was for arguing with falsehood, which is the twisting of the opponent from believing in the truth, (p-11) and that is a covering for the true evidence and a deception, the situation was more deserving of being expressed with disbelief, which we mean by covering. Therefore, He said: ﴿Upon those who disbelieved﴾ meaning those who committed disbelief at a time, not all of them are equal, these Arabs and others, because the reason for destruction is one, which is the denial indicating that whoever is adorned with it is created for the Fire. Then He replaced from the 'word' and said: ﴿That they are the companions of the Fire﴾ meaning whoever disbelieves at a time is deserving of the Fire in the Hereafter, just as he is deserving of punishment in this world. Allah does not care about him at all. So whoever is encompassed by mercy through repentance, and whoever is doomed by the curse through persistence, has perished.