A place between Hell and Paradise:

The first verse hints at the previous verses then Paradise and Hell and those who are in them and says:

“And between the two shall be a screen.”

This screen prevents them from reaching out to each other but not from hearing each other’s voices because the earlier verses describe the dialogue between the inmates of these two places. Those in Paradise will call out to those in Hell and says “We found what God had promised us to be true. Did you also find His promise to be true?” They will answer “Yes”            

This is not surprising because often see two neighbors talking to each other from the two sides of a wall while they do not see, or meet each other. A similar meaning is conveyed in verses 13 and 14 of Surah Hadid:

“On that Day the hypocrites, men and women will speak to the believers, “Give us respite so that we may borrow some of your light.” They will answer, “Turn back and seek light.” A wall will be constructed between them with a door, and there shall be mercy on one side and chastisement in the other.”

Is this high wall (sur) A’raf or is it something else? We will reply to this a little later.

It is then said, “There are people in A’raf who see each on in Paradise and in Hell and recognize them because of their marks”

Since the word means a lofty place, it also means that they will be prominent people who will observe both the groups and recognize them by their marks.