(88) “They said, ‘Our hearts are wrapped.’ Rather, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is it that they believe.”

That is, when you called them to faith, O Messenger, they excused their refusal by claiming that their hearts were wrapped—that they were covered and veiled and therefore could not understand what you were saying. By their claim, this would excuse their lack of knowledge. But this was a lie, and so Allah Most High said, “Rather, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief.” In other words, they are banished and accursed because of their disbelief. Thus, few among them believe; alternatively, their faith is slight, whereas their disbelief is predominant.