And when it was understood that despair is silence, it was made clear that their silence is not always permanent. This is because when a person becomes accustomed to one state, he may find relief after pain. So he said, clarifying that they are in a great distance, and they do not hope for a conversation with the King. And although they know of their despair, they cling to hopes of salvation, just as those who wish for the impossible in this world do, so that this would be an increase in what is important: ﴿And they called out﴾. Then it was clarified that the caller is the keeper of the Fire, as he said, emphasizing the distance with his tool: ﴿O Malik﴾. The reading of 'O Malik' indicates that the punishment has weakened them from completing their words. Therefore, they said: ﴿Let him finish us﴾, meaning ask him a question that certainly implies that the decree leads to a decree like it, which is death for each and every one of us. And following their usual behavior in ignorance and rudeness, they said: ﴿Your Lord﴾, meaning the one who is good to you. They did not see any goodness from Allah towards them in that state. There is no doubt that His goodness has not ceased from any existing being at all. The least of that is that He does not punish any of them beyond what they deserve. For this reason, He made the Fire in levels just as Paradise has degrees. It is possible that their statement is a provocation to Him due to what they saw of the Fire's effects on them. Their calling does not contradict their despair, as it is silence from despair. Thus, their silence, constrained by despair, is permanent. For this reason, they asked for death, and the result is that they do not speak of anything that indicates hope for relief, but rather they are forever silent about that. . . Despair is not about hoping for relief by attaining the ranks of the righteous. And when he mentioned their calling, he began to mention their response by saying: ﴿He said﴾, meaning Malik, blessings and peace be upon him, confirming the cutting off of their hopes, for their words here imply understanding hope and that the mercy of Allah, glorified and exalted is He, which is the place of hope, is specifically for others. ﴿Indeed, you will remain﴾.