Tafseer Surah Baqarah Verse 67 | Surah Baqarah explanation in English | Surah Baqarah explained | Surah Baqarah Ayat 67

Tafseer Surah Baqarah Verse 67 | Surah Baqarah explanation in English | Surah Baqarah explained | Surah Baqarah Ayat 67 Translation

Surah Al-Baqarah

Verse 67

2:67 Al-Baqara

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَذْبَحُوا بَقَرَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوًا ۖ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ

And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his people: "Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you make fun of us?" He said, "I take Allah's Refuge from being among Al-Jahilun (the ignorants or the foolish)."

Tafseer Surah Baqarah Verse 67

☘️An Israeli man had been killed and there was no information about the murderer. While the people were arguing Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala sent a command to Musa ‘alayhi salaam to instruct his people to slaughter a cow. The slaughtering of the cow was a mean for discovering the identity of the murderer.

☘️Ibn Abi Hatim recorded ‘Ubaydah As-Salmani saying, “There was a man from among the Children of Israel who was impotent. He had substantial wealth, and only a nephew who would inherit from him. So his nephew killed him and moved his body at night, placing it at the doorstep of a certain man. The next morning, the nephew cried out for revenge, and the people took up their weapons and almost fought each other. The wise men among them said, ‘Why would you kill each other, while the Messenger of Allah is still among you?’ So they went to Musa and mentioned the matter to him and Musa (‘alayhi salaam) said, ‘Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.’”

☘️The Children of Israel asked if he was making fun of them. Prophet Musa replied that was not of the ignorant or the foolish. They disputed and asked unnecessary questions, hoping that by doing so perhaps they would no more be required to carry out the command. But no! Because of their asking unnecessary questions the matter was made more difficult for them.

☘️”Ubaydah As-Salmani said, “Had they not disputed, it would have been sufficient for them to slaughter any cow. However, they disputed, and the matter was made more difficult for them, until they ended up looking for the specific cow that they were later ordered to slaughter. They found the designated cow only with a man who owned that cow.

He said, ‘By Allah! I will only sell it for its skin’s fill of gold.’ So they paid the cow’s fill of its skin in gold, slaughtered it and touched the dead man with a part of it. He stood up, and they asked him, ‘Who killed you?’ He said, ‘That man,’ and pointed to his nephew. He died again, and his nephew was not allowed to inherit him. Thereafter, whoever committed murder for the purpose of gaining inheritance was not allowed to inherit.” And Allah knows best.

☘️The Stubbornness of the Jews

The Children of Israel asked too many questions from their messengers. When they were commanded to do something they would not carry out the command right away, rather they asked unnecessary questions. Because of their stubbornness, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala made the tasks difficult for them. Had they slaughtered any cow, it would have been sufficient for them.

☘️Their stubbornness also led them to disobey or misbehave with the Prophets of Allah. When Musa ‘alayhi salaam conveyed them the command of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, they asked if he was making fun of them. Prophets and Messengers of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala do not make fun of their people. Then why did the Children of Israel say such a thing? It is because they had lived under the slavery of the Egyptians who worshiped idols. One of their idols was cow. Living with the Egyptians, the reverence of the cows had seeped into the hearts of the Children of Israel. Therefore, they could not accept slaughtering something that they revered.

☘️Become serious in the study of Deen. It is not play and amusement. True believers are those who hear a command of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and humbly submit. They do not ask: Why Allah? Why should I do it? Accepting hijab, leaving haram jobs and relationships, spending in the way of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala becomes easy for them.

☘️A Da’ee (caller to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and His religion) must be a serious and mature person.

His responsibility is to educate people. He should not make fun of, taunt or criticize the people coming to his gatherings. People from all backgrounds attend Islamic lectures and gatherings, the Da’ee should not look at how they are dressed, how they talk, the questions they ask, etc. He should be patient, forgiving and a good listener. Parents too should be careful about how they speak to their children. Sometimes parents shatter the confidence by laughing at or criticizing the questions that the children ask. Understand your role as an adult and a leader.

🔮Those who laugh at others, judge or criticize others, especially those who are lesser in knowledge or status, are actually foolish and ignorant themselves. A knowledgeable person fears Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, has taqwa and wishes well for all people.

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