َ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا فَطُبِعَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ ﴿۳﴾ وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ وَإِنْ يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ ﴿۴﴾

﴾3﴿ Zaalika bi annahum aamanoo summa kafaroo fatubi'a 'alaa quloobihim fahum laa yafqahoon
﴾4﴿ Wa izaa ra aytahum tu'jibuka ajsaamuhum wa iny yaqooloo tasma' liqawlihim ka'annahum khushubum musannadah; yahsaboona kulla saihatin 'alaihim; humul 'aduwwu fahzarhum; qaatalahumul laahu annaa yu'fakoon

﴾3﴿ This is because they believed, then they disbelieved, so a seal was set upon their hearts, and thus they do not understand
﴾4﴿ And when you see them, their bodies impress you, and if they speak, you listen to their words. (Yet) they are like hollow pieces of wood propped up against a wall. They think every loud cry is against them. They are the (real) enemies, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them! How are they being turned away (from the truth)

[3] In this verse, three characteristics of the hypocrites are mentioned:
"(Because they believed, then disbelieved)"—This does not refer to a one-time act of belief and disbelief, but rather repetition and frequency.
That is, whenever they display faith outwardly, they follow it with actions of disbelief—and they do this repeatedly.
"(So they do not understand)"—Fiqh here refers to the kind of knowledge that enables one to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
The hypocrite is deprived of this understanding.
[4] In this verse, five characteristics of the hypocrites are mentioned:
1. "(Their bodies please you)"—Meaning their physical appearance is strong and healthy.
The point is that they are always busy improving their physical bodies and indulging in various foods, but they pay no attention to spiritual nourishment.
2. "(You listen to their speech)"—They speak eloquently and fluently in worldly matters, and their words attract listeners.
3. "(As if they were propped-up pieces of wood)"—Like lifeless wooden planks leaned against a wall: they are of no benefit, hollow inside, weak, perhaps one side soft and the other hard.
They are unfit for building or any useful purpose.
Outwardly they appear impressive, but like hypocrites, their inner state is ruined.
4. "(They think every shout is against them)"—Although not quoted in your message, this part of the verse continues to show their extreme fear and guilt—they suspect any noise or disturbance is directed at them, due to their inner insecurity.
5. "(May Allah destroy them)"—This is a declarative statement that can also carry the meaning of a supplication.
It implies curse and destruction, because Allah’s qital (opposition) entails ruin and damnation.