Verses 71 and 72 of Surah Al-Baqarah, akin to a radiant jewel within the treasury of Quranic knowledge, depict a wise dialogue between God, Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), and the Children of Israel. These verses, transcending mere historical narration, offer profound lessons across theology, psychology, and sociology. The discourse between the people and the Divine exemplifies a unique educational process founded upon patience, mercy, and guidance. This not only resolved the peoples doubts but also provided an everlasting paradigm for educational interactions and the pursuit of truth in human societies. This treatise, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, analyses these verses comprehensively, faithfully reproducing the details and meanings from the original lecture in an elegant form befitting erudite audiences. The central discussion focuses on distinguishing inquisitive truth-seeking from fruitless disputation, the role of patience in guidance, and divine wisdom in resolving social conflicts. The text is organised methodically into primary sections and subsections, enhanced with refined literary metaphors to enrich its intellectual texture.
He said: He says that it is a cow, neither trained to till the earth nor to irrigate the field; it is immaculate and without any blemish. They said: Now you have brought the truth. So they slaughtered it, though they were on the verge of not doing so. And when you killed a soul and disputed over it, Allah brought forth what you were concealing.
Verses 71 and 72 of Surah Al-Baqarah constitute a single episode presented in two distinct but interconnected parts:
This structure functions as a bridge between the peoples inquisitiveness and divine guidance, reflecting the verses narrative and pedagogical coherence. Verse 71 consummates the process of wise dialogue, whereas verse 72 addresses the matter of killing and social discord, revealing divine wisdom in its resolution.
Verses 71 and 72, like the two wings of a bird, present a unified narrative in an educative and guiding framework. Verse 71, by explicating the cows characteristics and the people's acceptance of truth, manifests the wise dialogues process, while verse 72, by alluding to killing and discord, emphasises Gods power in uncovering the truth. These verses offer an unparalleled model for educational interactions and the resolution of social conflicts.
The dialogue of the Children of Israel with Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) was not of the nature of dispute or overpowering (overcoming the opponent), but rather one of questioning and reaching (arriving at the truth). The people, by repeatedly posing questions regarding the cows attributes (youthfulness, beauty, health), sought precise understanding and comprehension of the Divine command.
The people's questions demonstrated a thirst for truth and meticulousness in executing the Divine command, not mere pretext or contention.
In discourse, two approaches exist: dispute and overpowering, aimed at defeating and silencing the opponent; and questioning and attainment, directed towards discovering the truth. Dispute resembles wrestlers attempting to throw each other down, whereas questioning and attainment resemble a student seeking to comprehend truth in a classroom.
Dispute aims to silence the adversary; questioning and attainment lead to uncovering truth and clarifying doubts.
God, through comprehensive and systematic answers to the people's questions, guided them to the precise example of the cow. These responses not only resolved ambiguities but also illustrated the gradual process of guidance. Each question (youth, beauty, health) complemented the preceding one, completing the process of refinement.
By saying "Now you have brought the truth," the people acknowledged reaching the truth. This acceptance resulted from the wise and patient divine dialogue, not imposition or coercion.
The phrase you have brought the truth indicates the peoples free acceptance of truth without divine imposition.
Some interpretations consider the people's questions as mere pretexts or avoidance of executing the Divine command; however, such views conflict with the wisdom of Gods responses and the outcome of attainment. The people, as a formerly oppressed group liberated from despotism, were naturally curious and inquisitive.
Many traditional exegeses analyse these verses as a simple narrative, neglecting the logical and scientific approach. This critique underscores the necessity for wise analysis grounded in the Quranic text itself.
The wise dialogue between God and the Children of Israel illuminates the path of truth-seeking like a radiant torch. The distinction between inquiry and attainment versus dispute and silence demonstrates the superiority of Quranic dialogue over fruitless controversies. The people's questions stemmed not from pretext but a thirst for truth, and the divine answers guided them to the truth.
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), as a sagacious diplomat, fulfilled the role of a neutral and patient intermediary. Without objection or reproach, he conveyed divine answers to the people and maintained composure and patience throughout the process of guidance.
Moses (peace be upon him), with patience and composure, acted as the communication bridge between God and the people, facilitating the guidance process.
God made no objection or reproach regarding the peoples questions, indicating their reasonableness and divine wisdom in accepting them. This absence of objection reflects divine patience and mercy in guiding the people.
Patience and accompaniment in responding to questions, akin to a skilled physician, are essential for societal guidance and education. Hastiness, harshness, or anger towards questions lead to misguidance and estrangement from religion.
Patience in answering is the key to success in guiding and educating society.
If an educator lacks patience and responds with harshness or haste, the students misguidance is attributable to them. Educational success largely depends on the educators patience and wisdom.
Religious scholars such as Sheikh Ansari and Sheikh Isfahani provided exemplary models for educators by their patience and efforts with less talented students. Despite limited aptitude, Sheikh Isfahani achieved success through perseverance and patience, while Sheikh Ansari guided a student through patient mentorship.
The patience of religious scholars in education offers an unparalleled exemplar for contemporary educators.
Harshness, haste, and self-centered behaviour by educators hinder effective communication and guidance of students. Saying "I do not know" and demonstrating scholarly humility prevent arrogance and pretense of knowledge.
Allameh Tabatabai, by admitting "I do not know" prior to answering, presented an example of scholarly humility that enhanced his connection with his audience.
Guidance is a gradual process and cannot occur overnight. This process requires patience, mercy, and continuous response.
Guidance is like planting a seed that, through patience and care, comes to fruition.
Reproaching people for ignorance or misguidance is not an appropriate educational method and leads to estrangement from religion. Educators must guide people with gentleness and calmness.
Patience and mercy, as the two wings of guidance, bring the educational process to fruition. The role of Moses (peace be upon him) as a wise mediator, the absence of divine objection, and historical exemplars such as Sheikh Ansari and Allameh Tabatabai demonstrate the necessity of patience, humility, and gentleness in education. These verses offer a unique model of Quranic education that is instructive for todays educators.
The slaughtering of the cow was not only to execute the Divine command but also to prevent its sanctification and to consolidate monotheism. This act was like a spiritual surgery that uprooted the seeds of polytheism from the hearts of the people.
The slaughtering of the cow was a step towards establishing monotheism and eliminating the sanctification of objects.
Verse 72, with the phrase and when you killed a soul and disputed over it, refers to the killing of a person that led to tribal and familial discord. The plural form reflects the tribal and social structure of the Children of Israel.
The phrase And Allah brought forth what you were concealing emphasises divine power in unveiling hidden truths. God, as a just judge, disclosed what the people concealed
