Tafseer of Taa-Haa · Taa-Haa · 20:91
They said, "We will never cease being devoted to the calf until Moses returns to us."
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
And His words وَلَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُمْ هَارُونُ مِنْ قَبْلُ — that is to say: Hārūn had indeed, before the return of Mūsā to them and before his words to them concerning what Allah had informed him about, said to the worshippers of the calf from among the Children of Israel: إِنَّمَا فُتِنْتُمْ بِهِ — that is to say: Allah has tested your faith and your adherence to your religion by means of this calf — which produced the lowing — so that He might thereby distinguish the believer among you from the one with a sick heart who doubts his religion.
As Mūsā related to me, saying: ʿAmr related to us, saying: Asbāṭ related to us, on the authority of al-Suddī: Hārūn said to them: إِنَّمَا فُتِنْتُمْ بِهِ — he says: you have been tested by it — he says: by the calf.
And His words وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ فَاتَّبِعُونِي وَأَطِيعُوا أَمْرِي — that is to say: your Lord is the Most Merciful (al-Raḥmān) whose blessings encompass all creatures, so follow me in what I command you regarding the worship of Allah and the abandonment of the worship of the calf, and obey my command concerning what I command you of obedience to Allah and pure, sincere worship of Him.
