is more effective in conveying this meaning than mentioning mankind’s two parents alone. He, glorified is He, has stated that Adam’s wife ate with him, and that He caused him to descend and expelled him from Paradise because of that act of eating. It is thus understood that the same judgment applied to his wife, and that she shared Adam’s fate.

Focusing specifically on the condition of the two forefathers of mankind and the jinn was more fitting than focusing on mankind’s father and mother. Reflect on this.

In short, His words, “Go down, all of you, as enemies to one another,” plainly address more than two. It is therefore unwarranted to restrict this address to the two addressed in His words, “Go down, both of you.”

[Surah al-Baqarah (2): verse 88]

“They say, ‘Our hearts are covered.’ Rather, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little do they believe.” (88)

There is disagreement over the meaning of their statement, “Our hearts are covered.”

One group held that it means: “Our hearts are receptacles of wisdom and knowledge; why, then, do they not understand what you have brought?” Alternatively, they mean that their hearts have no need of him. On this interpretation, ghulf is the plural of ghilāf (receptacle). The correct interpretation, however, is that of most Quran commentators: “Our hearts cannot comprehend it or understand what you say.” On this interpretation, ghulf is the plural of aghlaf (covered), just as humr is the plural of ahmar (red). Abū ‘Ubaydah said:

“Anything enclosed in a covering is aghlaf. Thus, the word is used of a sheathed sword, a covered bow, and an uncircumcised man.”

Ibn ‘Abbās and Qatādah said: “There is a covering over our hearts. They are enclosed in coverings and therefore cannot grasp or understand what you say.”

This is the correct meaning of the verse, since similar expressions recur in the Quran, such as their statement:

“Our hearts are veiled.” (41:5)

And His words, Most High:

“Their eyes were covered against My remembrance.” (18:102)

There are other similar passages.

As for the view that their hearts are receptacles of wisdom, nothing in the wording indicates this at all. Nor is there any parallel in the Quran on which to base such an interpretation. Such an expression is not used by someone praising his own knowledge and wisdom. Where, then, in actual usage have you encountered the words