Tafsir of Muhammad 47:24

Do they not contemplate the Qur’an, examine it, and consider the admonitions, warnings, and threats against the disobedient contained within it, so that they might not dare to commit sins?

"Am" (or) here carries the meaning of "bal" (nay) combined with the interrogative particle of confirmation. It is used to record against them that their hearts are locked, such that no reminder can reach them.

Qatadah said: "By Allah, they would have found in the Qur’an a deterrent against disobeying Allah had they contemplated it. But they seized upon the ambiguous and thus perished."

If you ask: Why is "hearts" (qulub) indefinite, and why are the "locks" (aqfaluha) attributed to them?

I say: Regarding the indefiniteness, there are two aspects:

1. It may mean "upon hearts" that are hardened, the state of which is obscure in that regard.
2. Or it may mean "upon some hearts," specifically the hearts of the hypocrites.

As for the attribution of the locks, it is because He intends the locks specific to them—the locks of disbelief that have become so tightly fastened that they cannot be opened. It has also been recited as "iqfaluha" (the locking of them) as a verbal noun.

Indeed, those who reverted to their backs [in disbelief] after guidance had become clear to them—Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them. That is because they said to those who hated what Allah revealed, "We will obey you in part of the matter," and Allah knows their secrets. Then how [will it be] when the angels take them in death, striking their faces and their backs? That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked His pleasure, so He rendered their deeds worthless.