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