وَلَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُمْ هَـٰرُونُ مِن قَبْلُ يَـٰقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُم بِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى وَأَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرِى 90
Translations
And Aaron had already told them before [the return of Moses], "O my people, you are only being tested by it, and indeed, your Lord is the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my order."
Transliteration
Wa-laqad qāla lahum Hārūn min qablu yā-qawmi innamā futintum bihi wa-inna Rabbakum ar-Rahmān fa-ttabi'ūnī wa-ati'ū amrī
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, Harun (Aaron) exhorts his people to abandon the worship of the golden calf, reminding them that they have been tested and seduced by it, and that their Lord is ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that Harun's appeal emphasizes the danger of fitnah (trial/temptation) and calls the people back to monotheism and obedience to divine guidance. Harun's words demonstrate the duty of a believer to command good and forbid evil, even when facing resistance from those led astray.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Surah Ta-Ha (Meccan chapter) which recounts the story of Musa (Moses) and his people. It occurs in the context where Musa ascended Mount Sinai for forty nights to receive the Torah, and during his absence, the people were misled by as-Samiri into crafting and worshipping a golden calf. Harun's statement represents his sincere attempt to guide the people back to the path of Allah before Musa's return.
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself in Surah Al-A'raf (7:150) provides parallel context where Musa expresses his anger at the people's transgression. Additionally, the theme of fitnah and testing is referenced in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ warned against trials that test one's faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that when witnessing deviation from the truth, they must courageously call others back to Allah with wisdom and reminder of His mercy, trusting that sincere advice—even if initially rejected—fulfills the believer's responsibility and plants seeds of guidance in hearts.