Overall meaning : Are those who will only have their bare faces to shield themselves from the fire on the Day of Resurrection better or those who will be secure against torment? The wrongdoers will be told, ‘Taste now the punishment which you justly deserve because of your unbelief and disobedience.’
The unbelieving nations before the Quraysh idolaters also denied the truth, and so Allah destroyed them with such punishment which came upon them from where they could not perceive it. Thus He made them taste the torment that humiliated them in this life, but the torment of the life to come will be even more terrible. Had they known this, they would surely have paid heed and believed.