“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Maker and kill yourselves [i.e., the guilty among you]. That is best for [all of] you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He accepted your repentance; indeed, He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
One can sense the sincerity in the way the Holy Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, addressed his people, even though they disobeyed him by taking the golden calf as an object of worship. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]…””
One must adopt this type of sincerity to others as it is an important aspect of Islam, according to the Hadith found in Sahih Muslim number 196. The best way of achieving this is that one must treat others in a way they wish other people to treat them. In fact, a person cannot be a believer until they love for others what they love for themself. This is confirmed in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 13.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]…””
The children of Israel clearly recognized that the golden calf which was manufactured in front of their eyes by a human being was not worthy of worship. It is what the golden calf represented which enticed them to worship it. The golden calf being a lifeless object could not have granted them a higher code of conduct to live by which instructed them on how to use the blessings they were granted by Allah, the Exalted. This would allow them to fabricate their own code of conduct, which was tailored so that they could fulfill all their worldly desires while appearing very religious in the eyes of society. This reality applies to every false deity, whether it is an idol, social media, fashion, culture or society. The one who behaves in this manner is only worshipping their desires, like an animal. Chapter 45 A; Jathiyah, verse 23:
“Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire…”
This attitude is the primary reason why many non-muslims constantly and unconstructively criticize Islam as it invites people to live by a higher code of conduct which moderates their desires by instructing them on how to use the blessings they have been granted correctly so that they obtain peace of mind and success in both worlds. But as these people desire to live like animals without appearing like animals to the rest of society they relentlessly criticize Islam.
Muslims must therefore avoid worshipping their desires by verbally claiming belief in Islam while failing to act on the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. They must understand that controlling their worldly desires and using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, is the only way to achieve peace of mind and success in both worlds. Just like a doctor moderates and controls the desires of their sick patient by prescribing bitter medicine and a strict diet plan, Islam does the same. The same way a patient who ignores their doctor’s advice will face mental and physical problems so will the one who fails to learn and act on Islamic teachings. Allah, the Exalted, alone controls the spiritual heart of people, the abode of peace of mind, and He therefore chooses who is granted peace of mind and who is subjected to mental problems. Chapter 53 An Najm, verse 43:
“And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep.”
Those who ignore the teachings of Islam will enjoy moments of entertainment and fun but overall they will undoubtedly lead a miserable life. The very things they have obtained will only become a source of their stress, anxiety and depression. This is quite evident when one observes the celebrities of this world. Chapter 9 At Tawbah, verse 82:
“So let them laugh a little and [then] weep much as recompense for what they used to earn.”
And chapter 23 Al Mu’minun, verses 55-56:
“Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children. Is [because] We hasten for them good things? Rather, they do not perceive.”
And chapter 20 Taha, verses 124-126:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allāh] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.””
One must reflect on these simple teachings and the people of this world who have ignored the teachings of Islam and the consequences of their choices and remain steadfast on sincerely obeying Allah, the Exalted, by using the blessing they have been granted in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, so that they obtain peace of mind and success in both worlds. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]….”
This verse also warns people that disobeying Allah, the Exalted, only causes harm to oneself, as each person will face the consequences of their disobedience in both worlds. In this world, the very things they obtain through the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted, will become a source of stress and anxiety for them and what comes in the next world will be even more disastrous. This is the reason why those who disobey Allah, the Exalted, lead a miserable life, even if they have the world at their feet and have moments of fun and entertainment. In addition, when one wrongs other people and fails to sincerely repent then they will face stress in this world and on the Day of Judgement they will be forced to hand over their good deeds to their victims and if necessary, take the sins of their victims until justice is established. This may cause them to be hurled into Hell. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 6579. Therefore, when one harms others in reality they are only harming themself. Chapter 45 Al Jathiyah, verse 15:
“Whoever does a good deed – it is for himself; and whoever does evil – it is against it [the soul]. Then to your Lord you will be returned.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Maker and kill yourselves [i.e., the guilty among you]. That is best for [all of] you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He accepted your repentance…”
Killing yourselves refers to executing those who were guilty of worshipping the golden calf. It was phrased in this manner in order to remind muslims that they are one unit and family even if they come from different countries, speak different languages and lead very different lives. This reminds muslims to show sincerity to one another by treating people how they desire others to treat them. One must wish the best for others just like they desire it for themself. This must be shown through one’s actions not just words.
Even though some of the children of Israel worshipped the golden calf yet all them were put in difficulty. Those who did not worship the golden calf were charged with executing those who did. This indicates the importance of commanding good and forbidding evil within society, as each member of a society is directly or indirectly influenced by the actions of the general masses. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, explained this in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 2686. He advised that this reality can be understood with the example of a boat with two levels. Those on the lower level desire not to disturb the people of the upper level whenever they wish to obtain water so they decide to drill a hole in the boat in order to gain access to water directly. If the people of the upper level fail to stop them then all of them will drown. Muslims must therefore fulfill their role in advising others to do good and warning them against evil and only then will they be safe from the negative consequences of society in both worlds. Chapter 7 Al A’raf, verse 164:
“And when a community among them said, “Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allāh is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?” they [the advisors] said, “To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him.””
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Maker and kill yourselves [i.e., the guilty among you]. That is best for [all of] you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He accepted your repentance…”
This punishment may seem harsh but it was fitting for them as they had very recently witnessed clear and obvious miracles which were granted to the Holy Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, such as his staff turning into a huge snake, and they had recently witnessed the drowning of Pharaoh and his army in a miraculous event. As they physically witnessed these events they therefore had no reason to fall into the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted, let alone the worse of the major sins: polytheism. They should have adopted strong faith through these miracles which would have encouraged them to remain steadfast on the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted, which involves using the blessings one has been granted in ways pleasing to Him. Muslims must avoid this attitude as the greatest and timeless miracles of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, have been granted to them. Through studying and acting on them their faith will strengthen and as a result they will be encouraged to sincerely obey Allah, the Exalted, in all situations. This leads to peace of mind and success in both worlds. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Maker and kill yourselves [i.e., the guilty among you]. That is best for [all of] you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He accepted your repentance…”
This punishment was the best judgement in the sight of Allah, the Exalted, as those who were executed would obtain the forgiveness of Allah, the Exalted, and those who remained would be strongly deterred from repeating this behaviour and even from disobeying Allah, the Exalted, in other matters. This would only lead to benefit for everyone involved in both worlds. This reminds one to remain firm on the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted, even when they encounter difficulties. They must firmly believe Allah, the Exalted, always chooses what is best for everyone involved even if the wisdoms behind His choices are not obvious to them. One must learn and act on Islamic teachings in order to strengthen their faith so that they are not deterred from His obedience irrespective of what they encounter. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 216:
“…But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.”
Allah, the Exalted, was referred to as their Maker as it was a powerful reminder that they should have worshipped and obeyed their Maker, Allah, the Exalted, instead of worshipping an object which one of them manufactured. How can one make an idol with their own hands and then declare it to be their deity? Even if the deity’s spirit enters the idol, this would mean that the deity is dependent on people to make it a body. A true deity is not dependent on anyone else and in fact all others are dependent on it.
After the children of Israel fulfilled the orders of Allah, the Exalted, and executed those who had fallen into worshipping the golden calf, Allah, the Exalted, accepted their repentance. Generally speaking, sincere repentance involves feeling guilty, seeking the forgiveness of Allah, the Exalted, and anyone else who has been wronged, as long as this will not lead to further trouble, they must sincerely promise to avoid committing the same or similar sin again and make up for any rights which have been violated in respect to Allah, the Exalted, and people. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 54:
“…indeed, He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
Despite the harmful behaviour towards the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, of the people of the book living in Medina, even though they clearly recognized his truthfulness, which was discussed in their divine scriptures, Allah, the Exalted, reminded them of the fact that He is All Forgiving so that they were encouraged to sincerely repent to Him. Many of them however did not take this opportunity and instead continued to oppose Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. A muslim must always remember that just because one is not punished immediately for their sins it does not mean they will not be punished at all. They must take the opportunities granted to them by Allah, the Exalted, to sincerely repent and mend their ways before these opportunities run out and they face the consequences of their actions. Chapter 14 Ibrahim, verse 42:
“And never think that Allāh is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].”
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