When the doors of purgatory are opened at the time of death then the mysteries of the unknown are revealed and the result of the deeds stare back at them, the hands are empty of goodness and the backs are bent laden with the load of sins. They are then remorseful about their past and think of ways to erase it. The 10th verse describes how they turn to the angels with a plead for God wailing “O Lord Send be back so that we may make amends for our past and do good deeds that have been neglected by us.”
But the rule of god does not permit any one to do so.
Neither can the pious return to increase their good deeds nor can there be any scope for sinners to do so. So they are answered with a finality:
“No there is no way to return” and then adds, “These are mere words that they speak from their tongues and not from their hearts.”
The term “Rabbir- ji-uun” is addressed to God but the “Irji-uun” has been used in the plural sense.
The commentators say that this is because of the respect of God or the words may be addressed to the angels who come in a group to confiscate the souls. It may also mean that the persons first beseech God then turn to the angels to ask them to convey what they say to God. (1)
The tenth verse of Surah Munafiqun also speaks of something similar:
“And spend (in charity) of that which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says, “My Lord! If only you would give me respite for a little while and I would have spent in charity of my wealth.”
This verse too speaks of how their plea was rejected and says:
“God grants respite to none when his appointed time comes and He is all aware of what you do.”
Verse 28 of Surah Anam tells us that this is what the sinners will say near Hell but since this is beyond the purview of our discussion we refrain from explaining it.