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.
Related Ayahs
وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍۭ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَـَٔاتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allāh and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour - so it yields its fruits in double. And [even] if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
بَدِيعُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلْعِزَّةُ بِٱلْإِثْمِ ۚ فَحَسْبُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
And when it is said to him, "Fear Allāh," pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place.