And when they reached a great limit of stubbornness, He turned to the method of absence, turning away from them, signaling intense anger. So He, the Most High, said: ﴿And it became clear﴾ meaning: And they continued to say that until the Hour became clear to them with what is in it of terrors, earthquakes, and horrors. And the ﴿evil deeds﴾ became manifest to them to the utmost extent. And since the context is for the disbelievers, and they were held accountable for all their deeds, they do not have a valid basis that could serve as a reason for expiating anything of what they were involved in. And the context did not necessitate a specific mention like that of the groups, but rather expressed it with the deed, which is broader than mere earning. So He said: ﴿They acted﴾ and it was presented to them, and they knew the extent of its recompense and were made aware of all that is required of that. ﴿And it surrounded them﴾ meaning: it encompassed them in a state of overpowering and dominance. Abu Hayyan said: And it is not used except in what is disliked.

﴿What they were﴾ in nature and character ﴿by which they mock﴾ meaning: they create mockery with it to the utmost desire and pleasure, as one who seeks that.