Muhammad said: It is read in two ways: ((ghulf)) and ((ghuluf)). The better of the two readings is ((ghulf)) with the sukun (vowel-less) on the lam, and its meaning is: having coverings (ghulf). The singular form of it is aghlaf. It is said: I put the sword in a sheath (ghilaaf), so it is an aghlaf sword. From this, it is said of one who has not been circumcised: aghlaf. It is as if they said: Our hearts are in vessels, similar to their saying: "Our hearts are within coverings (akinnah) from that to which you invite us."
And whoever reads it as ((ghuluf)), it is the plural of ghilaaf (vessel/cover). The meaning of this would be: Our hearts are vessels for knowledge, so why do they not understand what you say? [Verses 89-90]
قَالَ مُحَمَّد: تُقْرأ على وَجْهَيْن: ((غلف وغلف)). وأجود الْقِرَاءَتَيْن: ((غلف)) بتسكين اللَّام، وَمَعْنَاهَا: ذَوَات غُلْفٍ، الْوَاحِد مِنْهَا: أَغْلَفُ؛ يُقَال: غلفْتُ السَّيْف؛ إِذا جعلته فِي غلاف، فَهُوَ سيف أغلف، ومِنُهُ يُقَال لمن لم يختتن: أغلف. فكأنهم قَالُوا: قُلُوبنَا فِي أوعية مثل قَوْلهم: ﴿قُلُوبُنَا فِي أَكِنَّةٍ مِمَّا تدعونا إِلَيْهِ﴾.
وَمن قَرَأَ ((غُلُفٌ)) فَهُوَ جمع غلاف؛ فَيكون معنى هَذَا: أَن قُلُوبنَا أوعية للْعلم فَمَا لَهَا لَا تفهم عَنْك؟! [آيَة ٨٩ - ٩٠]
