He said in that verse:
“But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe but little.”
And He said in Sūrat al-Nisā’:
“For their breaking of their covenant, their disbelief in Allah’s signs, their killing of the prophets without right, and their saying, ‘Our hearts are covered’—rather, Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe but little—”
“And for their disbelief and their uttering against Mary a grievous slander.”
The account continues to its conclusion. He thus described the sins for which they deserved what befell them. These included their saying:
“Our hearts are covered.”
It is therefore clear that they were lying in making this claim, intending thereby to evade their obligation. Hence He said:
“Rather, Allah has cursed them,”
and:
“Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief.”
Thus, although their hearts hear and understand the message, they neither accept it nor believe in it, neither affirming its truth nor obeying it, even though they recognize it. As He said:
“Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognize him as they recognize their own sons.”
Ghulf is the plural of aghlaf (covered). As for the form with a vowel on the middle consonant, it is the plural of ghilāf (covering). A covered heart is analogous to an uncircumcised person. They made this claim, but they were lying. A curse means exclusion from mercy. Had they acted upon the message, they would have received mercy; but they did not act upon it, so they incurred wrath and were cursed. This is the recompense of those who recognize the truth but do not follow it, and who understand the words of the messengers but do not conform to them by acknowledging their truth and acting upon them.
The “fourth category” consists of those who hear with understanding and acceptance. This is the hearing that is commanded, as He, Exalted is He, said:
“When they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they recognize.”
And He, Exalted is He, said:
“Say: