Surah Al A'raf Notes (48-53)

(48)And the men on Al-A'raf (the wall) will call unto the men whom they would recognise by their marks, saying: "Of what benefit to you were your great numbers (and hoards of wealth), and your arrogance against Faith?"

 Allah states that the people of Al-A`raf will admonish some of the chiefs of the idolators whom they recognize by their marks in the Fire, saying,
("...Of what benefit to you was your gathering...'') meaning, your great numbers,
("...and your arrogance...'') This Ayah means, your great numbers and wealth did not save you from Allah's torment. Rather, you are dwelling in His torment and punishment. 

(49)Are they those, of whom you swore that Allah would never show them mercy. (Behold! It has been said to them): "Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve."

(...Are they those, of whom you swore that Allah would never show them mercy...) refers to the people of Al-A`raf who will be told when Allah decrees.
(...Behold! It has been said to them...): "Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve.'')

The Favors of paradise are Prohibited for the People of the Fire

(50)And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: "Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with." They will say: "Both (water and provision) Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers."

Allah emphasizes the disgrace of the people of the Fire. They will ask the people of Paradise for some of their drink and food, but they will not be given any of that.

(...And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: "Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with...'') "That is food''. Ath-Thawri said that `Uthman Ath-Thaqafi said that Sa`id bin Jubayr commented on this Ayah, "One of them will call his father or brother, `I have been burned, so pour some water on me.' The believers will be asked to reply, and they will reply

("...Both Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers...'') Refers to the food and drink of Paradise.'' Allah describes the disbelievers by what they used to do in this life, taking the religion as amusement and play, and being deceived by this life and its adornment, rather than working for the Hereafter.

(51)"Who took their religion as an amusement and play, and the life of the world deceived them." So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day, and as they used to reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)

(...So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day...) meaning, Allah will treat them as if He has forgotten them. Certainly, nothing escapes Allah's perfect watch and He never forgets anything.
Allah will forget the good about them, but not their evil.'' And `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "We shall forsake them as they have forsaken the meeting of this Day of theirs.'' Mujahid said, "We shall leave them in the Fire.'' As-Suddi said, "We shall leave them from any mercy, just as they left any action on behalf of the meeting on this Day of theirs.''(So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day) "Allah will forget the good about them, but not their evil.'' 

(52)Certainly, We have brought to them a Book (the Quran) which We have explained in detail with knowledge, - a guidance and a mercy to a people who believe.

(53)Await they just for the final fulfillment of the event? On the Day the event is finally fulfilled (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), those who neglected it before will say: "Verily, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth, now are there any intercessors for us that they might intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back (to the first life of the world) so that we might do (good) deeds other than those (evil) deeds which we used to do?" Verily, they have lost their ownselves (i.e. destroyed themselves) and that which they used to fabricate (invoking and worshipping others besides Allah) has gone away from them.

(Await they just for the final fulfillment of the event) in reference to what they were promised of torment, punishment, the Fire; or Paradise,

(On the Day the event is finally fulfilled,) on the Day of Resurrection,

(those who neglected it before will say) those who ignored it in this life and neglected abiding by its implications will say,

("Verily, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth, now are there any intercessors for us that they might intercede on our behalf'') so that we are saved from what we ended up in.

("Or could we be sent back''), to the first life,

(Verily, they have lost themselves and that which they used to fabricate has gone away from them.) meaning, they destroyed themselves by entering the Fire for eternity,

(And that which they used to fabricate has gone away from them.) What they used to worship instead of Allah abandoned them and will not intercede on their behalf, aid them or save them from their fate.