It is said to them on the Day of Resurrection, as a rebuke, "Did not messengers come to you from among yourselves?"

There is a difference of opinion regarding whether messengers were sent to the jinn from among themselves. Some have relied on the apparent meaning of the verse and did not distinguish between those who are obligated and those who are not, claiming that a messenger from their kind would be more comforting and familiar to them. Others said that the messengers are specifically from among humans. It was said that it is mentioned as "messengers from you" because when both realms are addressed, this is correct even if it is from one of them, as in the saying, "From both of them come pearls and corals." It was also said that it refers to the messengers of the jinn sent to them, as in the statement of Allah, "They turned to their people as warners." Al-Kalbi said that messengers were sent to humans before Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon him, and the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, was sent to both humans and jinn.

"We bear witness against ourselves" is a narration for their confirmation and affirmation of His saying, "Did not messengers come to you?"

The hamzah that enters on the negation of the coming of messengers is for denial, thus it serves as a confirmation for them. Their saying, "We bear witness against ourselves" indicates their acknowledgment that the proof of Allah is binding upon them and that they are refuted by it.

If you say: Why are they affirming in this verse yet denying in the saying, "By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists?" I say: The states and situations vary on that long day; they affirm in some instances and deny in others. Or it is intended that the testimony of their hands, feet, and skins will be when their mouths are sealed.

If you ask: Why is their testimony against themselves mentioned twice? I say: The first is a narration of their saying, how they speak and acknowledge. The second is a reproach to them, a correction of their opinion, and a description of their lack of reflection upon themselves, as they are a people deceived by the worldly life and present pleasures. The outcome of their affair was that they were compelled to testify against themselves with disbelief and submission to their Lord and deserving of His punishment. This was said as a warning to the listeners from being in a similar state.