[1437] The dialogue here takes place on the Day of Judgement when they will be stripped down to nothing but themselves and brought before God for reckoning (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī): “They will be lined up before your Lord ˹and He will say˺: “Now you have come to Us as We first created you, although you claimed We had not made any such appointment for you”” (18: 48). This is what this battle of wits and blows boils down to; a very macabre scene of what awaits rebellious Deniers. The use of the past tense for a future happening is just as striking as the scene being depicted; it imparts a sense of immediate imminence on the whole occurrence.
[1438] The false idols whom they claimed had a right in their worship alongside God Almighty, and that they would intercede with Him on their behalf on the Day of Judgement. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[1439] Cf. Ayas 22-24 above: “On the Day when We round them all up, then We say to those who Associated: “Where are your Associates, whom you used to ˹falsely˺ claim?” *At that their plea would be only saying: “By Allah, our Lord, we were not Associators.” *Look how they lied to themselves and what they used to fabricate deserted them!”