A witness, their Prophet, will testify for them and against them regarding faith and belief, and disbelief and denial. Then, those who disbelieved will not be permitted to excuse themselves. The meaning is that they have no argument, so the absence of permission indicates that they have no argument or excuse. Likewise, according to al-Hasan, they will not be asked for satisfaction, meaning: they will not be told to please their Lord.

Because the Hereafter is not a place of action. If you say: What is the meaning of 'then'? I say: Its meaning is that they will be subjected to a greater humiliation after the testimony of the Prophets, which is that they will be prevented from speaking, and they will not be permitted to present an excuse or offer an argument. The day is understood as being implied, meaning: and remember the day we will resurrect, or the day we will resurrect they fell into what they fell into. Similarly, when they see the punishment suddenly and it weighs heavily upon them, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be given respite, as in His saying: 'Rather, it will come upon them suddenly, and it will astonish them...'