The Holy Quran 2:54 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦ يَـٰقَوْمِ إِنَّكُمْ ظَلَمْتُمْ أَنفُسَكُم بِٱتِّخَاذِكُمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ فَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ بَارِئِكُمْ فَٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ عِندَ بَارِئِكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Translation

When Moosa told (those of) his people (who worshipped the calf), "O my people! You have certainly oppressed (wronged) your souls by worshiping the calf, so turn to your Creator for forgiveness and kill yourselves (let the innocent among you execute the guilty ones). This (execution) is best for you in the sight of your Creator." Then Allaah accepted your repentance. Indeed, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

By “people” here are meant specifically those who prostrated to the calf. The command to kill one another: that is, those who had not prostrated to the calf were to kill those who had prostrated. Some say that there were three groups among the Children of Israel: first, those who did not worship the calf and also restrained others; second, those who…

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