Verses 83 to 85 and 150 of Surah Al-Arf in the Holy Quran present a profound narrative of the deviation of the Children of Israel during the absence of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and their inclination towards calf worship. These verses, by elucidating the deceit of Samiri and the nullity of his sorcery, offer profound lessons concerning monotheism, rationality, patience, and the avoidance of polytheism. The present treatise, relying on the content of the lectures and exegetical analyses, examines these verses in a coherent framework with an eloquent and scholarly language. The objective is to elucidate the monotheistic and philosophical meanings of these verses and to provide a deep understanding of their divine messages, which serve as a guiding light for humanity on the path of guidance and deliverance from misguidance.
The Holy Quran in verse 83 of Surah Al-Arf refers to a critical moment in the history of the Children of Israel when, in the absence of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), due to haste and weakness of faith, they turned towards polytheism. The phrase And the people of Moses took (after him) indicates the time when Moses ascended to the divine appointment on Mount Sinai, and his people, instead of waiting and persevering in monotheism, succumbed to the whisperings of Samiri. This absence was like ashes upon the smouldering fire of the people's latent faith, which kindled the flames of ignorance and impatience.
The Children of Israel, instead of adhering to the guidance of Aaron, fixated on their ornaments and fashioned for themselves an idol which was not only devoid of divine spirit but also became a symbol of misguidance and estrangement from truth. This deviation was a sign of a fundamental weakness in faith and a haste that, like a reckless wind, drove the people towards the abyss of polytheism.
Key Point: The deviation of the people of Moses was rooted in haste and a lack of patience in awaiting the divine command. This rush, like a barrier against reason and faith, led humanity towards misguidance.
And the people of Moses took (after him) from their ornaments a calfan image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it for worship and were wrongdoers. (Quran, Al-Arf 7:83)
Samiri, utilising the ornaments of the people earrings, rings, and other decorative objects fashioned a calf that possessed a corporeal body (jasadan) and a calf-like lowing sound (khuwr). The word ijl, meaning calf, not only refers to the animal itself but is also a metaphor for the haste and precipitance of the people in turning towards polytheism. This calf was like a mirror reflecting the ignorance of the people; a lifeless idol that neither spoke nor showed the path of guidance.
With his satanic sorcery, Samiri adorned this calf in such a manner that he deceived the people. The calfs voice, possibly derived from technical or magical artifices, misled the people into believing that this soulless body had divine power. However, this deception was like a bubble on water fragile and soon to be exposed as falsehood.
Key Point: The calf of Samiri symbolises polytheism and satanic deception which, with a deceptive appearance, distanced the people from the truth of monotheism. This idol was like a fleeting shadow, devoid of any divine power.
The Holy Quran, continuing in verse 83, challenges the ignorance of the people with a reflective question: Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? This question strikes like a blade upon the veil of the people's ignorance and exposes the impotence of the lifeless idol. Unlike the Almighty God and His Prophets, the calf lacked any capacity to guide or respond.
This ignorance was rooted in a distancing from reason and faith. Instead of reflecting on the truth of monotheism, the people trusted in a superficial sound and a soulless body. This inclination was like sinking into a quagmire of ignorance that led the people to injustice and polytheism.
The phrase and they were wrongdoers in verse 83 describes the people as oppressors due to their worship of the calf. This oppression was not limited to associating partners with God, but also included disobedience to Moses, disregard for the guidance of Aaron, and injustice to themselves and society. By this act, the people were like farmers who sowed the seed of faith on the barren soil of polytheism and reaped nothing but loss and misguidance.
And when it fell into their hands and they saw that indeed they had gone astray, they said, If our Lord does not have mercy on us and forgive us, we will surely be among the losers. (Quran, Al-Arf 7:84)
The phrase fell into their hands signifies the collapse and nullification of the calf. The sorcery of Samiri, which had adorned the calf with a deceptive voice, ceased to function either due to its inherent weakness or divine will. The calf, which once shone like a misleading star in the sky of the people's ignorance, suddenly transformed into a lifeless and silent body. This collapse was like a wind that tore apart the veils of deception and revealed the truth.
Key Point: The nullification of Samiris sorcery is a sign of the inherent weakness of polytheism and the unparalleled power of God in revealing the truth. The calf, like a bubble on water, through its collapse, led the people to the awareness of their misguidance.
Following the collapse of the calf, the people realised their deviation: and they saw that indeed they had gone astray. This awareness, occurring without the presence of Moses and solely through the nullification of Samiris sorcery, signifies the role of reason in the return to truth. The people, like travellers lost in darkness, regained the light of reason with the collapse of the idol and hastened towards repentance.
The phrase If our Lord does not have mercy on us and forgive us, we will surely be among the losers indicates seeking forgiveness and mercy from God. The people, recognising their loss, turned to Gods presence and sought pardon like a tree that turns to the sun after a storm. This repentance marks a return to monotheism and hope for Gods boundless mercy.
And when Moses returned to his people angry and sorrowful, he said: How evil is that which you have substituted after me! Did you hasten the matter of your Lord? And he threw down the tablets and seized the head of his brother and pulled him towards himself. Aaron said: Son of my mother, the people oppressed me and nearly killed me, so do not let the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people. (Quran, Al-Arf 7:85 & 7:150)
Moses, like a shepherd who finds his flock abandoned among wolves, returned to his people with anger and sorrow. His anger was not born of hatred but out of love for guidance and preservation of monotheism. His sorrow was like a river flowing from the pain of the people's deviation. The phrase How evil is that which you have substituted after me expresses Moses reproach for the people's disobedience and haste in misguidance.
Aaron, as Moses successor, endeavoured to prevent the people from deviation, but the people regarded him as weak and nearly killed him. The phrase the people oppressed me and nearly killed me indicates the severity of their disobedience. Aaron, like a lamp in darkness, attempted to show the path of guidance, but the people, engulfed in ignorance and haste, ignored this light.
Key Point: The peoples disobedience to Aaron exemplifies the depth of their deviation and disregard for divine guidance. Aaron, as a faithful guardian, stood firm against the storm of the people's ignorance.
The phrase Did you hasten the matter of your Lord? in verse 150 censures the people's haste in worshipping the calf. This haste, like a wild horse, diverted the people from the path of awaiting the divine command. Patience is a key that opens the doors of monotheism; however, the people lost this key through precipitance.
The calf worship of the people of Moses represents a form of practical polytheism that occurs whenever God is disregarded in any act. This polytheism is like a poison that contaminates the spirit of faith and leads humanity towards injustice and misguidance. However, the rational awakening of the people following the nullification of the sorcery demonstrates the role of reason in returning to monotheism. Reason is like a torch that illuminates the path of truth in the darkness of misguidance.
Had the Children of Israel, instead of succumbing to the deception of Samiri, perceived God as constantly accompanying them, they would not have fallen into polytheism and calf worship. Intimacy with God is like a shield that protects man from satanic temptations. The creation of a divine analogue perceiving Gods presence at all times guides man towards pure monotheism.
Key Point: Intimacy with God and the creation of a divine analogue cleanse man from the contamination of polytheism and guide him towards pure monotheism like a clear spring.
The discussed verses invite humanity to patience, monotheism, and avoidance of polytheism. Patience is the root that firmly sustains the tree of faith. Monotheism is the sun that dispels the darkness of misguidance. These verses call humanity to contemplate the truth and avoid satanic deceptions.
Verses 83 to 85 and 150 of Surah Al-Arf in the Holy Quran provide a profound narrative of the deviation of the people of Moses, the deception of Samiri, and the return to monotheism. Calf worship, as a symbol of polytheism and ignorance, led the people towards injustice and misguidance. Yet the nullification of Samiris sorcery and the rational awakening of the people opened the path for repentance and forgiveness. The return of Moses with anger and sorrow reminded the importance of preserving monotheism and divine guidance. These verses, like a mirror, reflect human reality and invite humanity towards patience, rationality, and intimacy with God.
