Al-Mutaffifin Verse 33

even though they were not sent as keepers over the believers.

although they were not sent as their keepers.

Yet they were not sent as watchers over them.

though they were not sent to be their keepers-

Whereas they were not sent over them as watchers.

But they had not been sent as keepers over them!

(they said so although) they had not been appointed watchers over them.

But they were not Sent to be guardians over them!

Whereas they have not at all been sent as guardians over them.

Though they were not sent to watch over them.

Yet they were not appointed as keepers over them (that they should presume to pass judgment on them).

Though they were not deputed as guardians (to guard) over them.

And they were not sent on them protecting/observing

Whereas they have not at all been sent as guardians over them.

But they were not sent to be keepers over them

But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers over them (the believers).

So this day those who believe laugh at the disbelievers --

And they were not sent to be keepers over them.

Yet they were not sent as guardians over them.

No one has appointed them to watch over the believers.

Yet they were not sent to be their guardians.

But they were not sent as watchers over them.

though they were not sent to be their keepers --

Yet they were not sent as guardians over them.

God, exalted be He, says; Yet they, that is, the disbelievers, were not sent as watchers over them, [over] the believers, to preserve them or [to keep a record of] their deeds and thus guide them back to what is best for them.

But they were not sent as watchers over them.

meaning, these criminals have not been sent as guardians over the deeds and statements of these believers. These wrongdoers have not been made responsible for them. So, why are they so concerned with them, and why have they made them the focus of their attention

This is as Allah says,

قَالَ اخْسَيُواْ فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ

إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِى يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَأ ءَامَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَحِمِينَ

فَاتَّخَذْتُمُوهُمْ سِخْرِيّاً حَتَّى أَنسَوْكُمْ ذِكْرِى وَكُنْتُمْ مِّنْهُمْ تَضْحَكُونَ

إِنِّى جَزَيْتُهُمُ الْيَوْمَ
بِمَا صَبَرُواْ أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْفَأيِزُونَ

He (Allah) will say;"Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!"

Verily there was a party of My servants, who used to say;

"Our Lord!

We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of all who show mercy!"

But you took them for a laughing stock, so much so that they made you forget My remembrance while you used to laugh at them!

Verily, I have rewarded them this Day for their patience;they are indeed the ones that are successful. (23;108-111)

Thus, Allah says here

As if they were sent to watch their action