Overall meaning : Pray, Muhammad, ‘Lord, should You show me the torment with which You have threatened these idolaters, then save me and do not place me amongst such wrongdoing people.’
We are surely able to show you, Muhammad, the torment with which We have threatened them. Repel their harm by repaying it with the best of traits and patiently endure any harm they cause you. We are fully aware of their unbelief and the falsehoods they attribute to Us (such as their false claim that I have offspring and partners). And pray, ‘Lord, I seek refuge in You from the promptings and evil suggestions of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, Lord, lest they come near me or be present with me when conducting any of my affairs.’
These unbelievers will persist in their arrogant unbelief and evil ways until, when death suddenly approaches any of them and is seized by death throes, with the signs of torment looming large before him, he implores, ‘Lord, let me return to life to do righteous deeds and make amends for past negligence.’
Allah Almighty explains that He will not grant this repentant unbeliever his request, because it is a mere word he utters when death comes to him, and it will not benefit him in any way: By no means! These are only words he will speak. A barrier preventing the dead from returning to the life of the world will stand before them until the Day of Resurrection.