The Holy Quran 7:155 — Surah Al-A'raf

Arabic text

وَٱخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُۥ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَـٰتِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّـٰىَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهْدِى مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْغَـٰفِرِينَ

Translation

Moosa عليه الصلاة والسلام chose from his people seventy persons for Our appointment. (He took these people to Mount Toor with him when the Bani Israa'eel doubted that the Torah was really from Allaah and wanted to hear Allaah command them directly. However, when Allaah spoke to them, they again doubted and asked to see Allaah. Allaah then killed them all when an earthquake shook the mountain.) When the earthquake struck them, he (Moosa) said, "My Rabb! If You wished You could have destroyed them and myself from before (if You wanted to destroy them, You could have killed them before we came here. However, I am certain that You wished only to teach them a lesson. So do revive them, so that the Bani Israa'eel do not accuse me of killing them). Will You (You will surely not) destroy us (me) because of what the foolish ones among us do (because the Bani Israa'eel will certainly kill me for this) ? (I am sure that) This is but a test from You by means of which You send astray whoever You please and guide whoever You please. You are our Protecting Friend so forgive us and have mercy on us. Undoubtedly You are the best of forgivers." (Allaah then revived the seventy men.)

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

Appearing on Mount Tur with seventy chiefs: what appears preferable is that this miqat (appointed meeting) is different from the one that was fixed for granting the Torah to Musa ﵇. Further, the order of the present ayahs outwardly suggests that this event occurred after the calf-worship and the punishment [for it].

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