وَإِذْ وَٰعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰٓ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذْتُمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ وَأَنتُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ 51
Translations
And [recall] when We made an appointment with Moses for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him [i.e., his departure], while you were wrongdoers.
Transliteration
Wa-idh wa'adna Musa arba'ina laylatan thumma ittakhazutum al-'ijla min ba'dihi wa-antum zalimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to when Allah promised Musa (Moses) forty nights to receive the Torah, but during his absence, the Children of Israel committed a grave sin by worshipping the golden calf under the influence of Samiri. Ibn Kathir explains that despite witnessing countless miracles—the parting of the sea, manna and quail—they abandoned tawhid (monotheism) in haste and transgression. Al-Tabari emphasizes that their immediate resort to idolatry after Musa's departure demonstrates the weakness of faith when leadership is absent and the nafs (ego) is not kept in check.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a series in Surah Al-Baqarah that recounts the trials and transgressions of Bani Israel during their desert journey after leaving Egypt. It falls within the context of reminding the Muslims of Madinah about the historical lessons from the Children of Israel, emphasizing divine mercy despite repeated disobedience, and the consequences of abandoning monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The incident of the golden calf is referenced in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (SAW) mentioned that the calf was fashioned from ornaments and would low (make a sound) on the Day of Judgment. Additionally, in various hadith collections, scholars discuss how this event exemplifies the danger of following desires over divine guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even those who witness clear miracles can falter when tested, especially in the absence of firm leadership and spiritual guidance; believers must continuously strengthen their iman and not allow temporary circumstances to shake their commitment to monotheism and obedience to Allah.