[Pooya/Ali Commentary 74:27] The disbelievers will be in a state in which they neither live nor die. The nineteen guardians of the fire are the angels who are appointed to "administer" the hell. Aqa Mahdi Puya says: All interpretations of number nineteen, based upon conjecture, should not be taken as true. The text of verse 31 itself gives the reason for the mention of this number. It is only a trial which creates aversion in the hearts of the disbelievers and the hypocrites and increases faith and conviction in the hearts of the believers. The verse further makes it known that Allah alone knows the (number of) forces at His command, and further explains it by stating that He leaves to stray whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases. The act or will of Allah creates different reactions in men according to the nature of their receptivity. See commentary of Fatihah: 5 for action and reaction. Hiya (this) in the last sentence of verse 31 refers to the warning given above that by the act of Allah some receive guidance and some go astray.