2:67 When Moses said to his people, “Allah has commanded that you sacrifice a cow,” they
said, “Are you mocking us?” Moses then said, “Allah forbid that I should become like these
ignorant fools!”
2:68 They said, “Call on your Lord to instruct us on what kind of cow we should use.” He
said, “Your Lord says the cow should
not be too young or too old, but in between. Do as you
are commanded.”
2:69 They said, “Call on your Lord to tell us what color she should be.” He replied, “Your
Lord says it should be a fawn-colored cow with a pure and rich tone that gives pleasure to
those who see it.”
2:70 They said, “Call on your Lord to tell the exact kind of cow it should be, because
they all look alike to us. We wish for guidance if it is Allah’s will.”
2:71 Moses answered, “Your Lord says it should be a cow not used to plough the earth or
water the field, healthy and without imperfections.” They said, “Now you have told us the
truth.”
So they sacrificed the cow, although they did not care to do it.
2:72 Remember when you killed a man and then fought among yourselves about it, and
Allah brought to light what you tried to hide. We said, “Strike the corpse with a part of the
sacrificed cow.” It is in this manner that Allah shows you His signs so that you will
understand. Then your hearts were hardened like rocks, or even worse, for there are some
rocks from which rivers gush forth; some are split in two and water comes out of them, and
others fall down from fear of Allah. Allah is not at all unaware of your actions.
2:83 And remember when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel saying, “Worship
Allah alone. Be good to your parents, your families, to orphans, and to those in need.
Encourage others to be righteous, pray regularly, and give to charity.” But then you all
turned your backs on the promise, except a few, and paid no attention.
2:84 And when We made a covenant with you We said, “You shall not shed the blood of
your people or turn them out of your cities.” You agreed to this and were yourselves
witnesses. Then after this you began killing your people and driving them out from your
homes, backing one another up against them with sin and hatred. If they had come to you as
captives, you would have liberated them, even though their banishment was illegal. [Two
Jewish tribes of Medina went to war against a third Jewish tribe] Do you believe in one part
of the Scriptures and deny the rest? What is the reward for those of you who act in this way
except disgrace in this life and cruel torment of the Day of Resurrection? For Allah is never
unaware of what you do. These are the people who purchase the life of this world at the
price of the life to come; their torment will not be alleviated nor will they be helped.
2:92 Moses came to you with clear signs, but when he was away you [the Jews] worshipped
the calf and were wicked. And remember when We made a covenant with you and raised the
towering height of Mount Sinai above you saying, “Hold tightly to what We have given you
and obey Our commandments.” You replied, “We hear but we rebel.” And because of your
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