Prophets Stories In Islam

Part 16. Prophet Musa and Harun: The Story of the golden calf

Allah (ﷻ) has also informed us about what happened when Musa (as) went to Mount Toor to keep His appointment with his Lord. Musa (as) remained there in devotion for a certain period of time.
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Musa (as) had been absent for forty days. His people had become restless, they were like children, complaining and acting impulsively. 
Ibn Kathir describes their descent into the unforgiveable sin of idolatry: “As-Samiri, a man who was inclined towards evil, suggested that they find themselves another guide, as Musa had broken his promise.”
He said to them, “In order to find true guidance, you need a god, and I shall provide one for you.”
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So he collected all their gold jewellery, and melted it down. During the casting, he threw in a handful of dust from the footsteps of the horse of Angel Jibraeel (as), acting like a magician to impress the ignorant. He had taken this dust when he had seen him on the day Allah (ﷻ) had drowned Pharaoh. From the molten metal, he fashioned a golden calf. It was hollow, and when wind passed through it, it produced a sound. It has been said that when the wind entered from its back and came out through its mouth, it would moo like a cow, they would dance and sing around it.
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Since superstition was imbedded in their past, they quickly linked the strange sound to something supernatural, as if it were a living god. Some of them accept the golden calf as their god.
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It was as if they had succeeded in making themselves a living God. Musa's (as) brother Harun (as) had been afraid to stand up to the people but when he saw the idol and realised what a grave sin was being committed he spoke up. He reminded the people to worship Allah (ﷻ) alone and he warned them of dire consequences for their actions both from Musa (as) on his return and from Allah (ﷻ) Himself. Those who remained true to their belief in One God separated themselves from the idol worshippers.
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When Musa (as) returned to his people he saw them singing and dancing around the golden calf. Furious at their paganistic ritual, he flung down the Tablet of the Law he was carrying for them. It has been mentioned in the Bible that when He did this, they broke into pieces and Allah (ﷻ) later replaced them.  However, The Quran has not corroborated this; it has only specified that he dropped them when he saw what they were doing.
According to the version of this story found in Bible, there were only two tablets. However, the Quran has clarified that there were several tablets.
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Musa (as) could not believe his eyes, even though Allah (ﷻ) had just warned him that a severe punishment was about to befall his people for worshipping the golden calf. Musa's (as) heart was filled with shame and anger. His own people had witnessed the power and majesty of Allah (ﷻ) yet they acted belligerently and without fear of God’s punishment. Once he had recovered from his initial shock, Musa (as) rebuked them and strongly condemned their evil act.
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They apologized to him, making a vain excuse. They explained that they had felt so ashamed of carrying the jewelry of the Pharaoh's people  with them that they cast it into the fire. It is noteworthy that they did not regret the ignorance and the insanity which had overtaken them when they had started worshipping a calf that mooed. Musa (as) turned to his brother Harun (as); he was angry and grabbed him by the beard, at the same time he pulled Harun (as) towards him by the head.
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He bellowed at his brother demanding that Harun (as) explain why he disobeyed the instructions he had given him, and why he allowed As-Samiri to beguile the Children of Israel. Harun (as) explained that the people did not listen to him, and were about to kill him. He appealed to Musa (as) not to let the idolaters separate them. Musa's (as) anger began to subside when he understood Harun's (as) helplessness, and he began to handle the situation calmly and wisely. Harun (as) was not as strong and as forceful as his brother and he feared that he would not be able to control the Children of Israel so he waited for his brother Musa (as) to return.
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Allah's (ﷻ) promise is true and His punishment was swift. Musa (as) confronted As-Samiri and sent him into exile.
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Almighty Allah narrated:
"Musa asked: "O Samiri, what was the matter?"
He said: "I saw what they did not see. I picked up a handful of dust from the messenger's tracks and threw it in, for the idea seemed attractive to me."
(Musa) said: "Go hence! All your life you are (cursed) to say: 'Do not touch me; and a threat hangs over you which you will not be able to escape. Look at your god to whom you are so attached: We shall verily burn it, and disperse its ashes into the sea.
Your god is only God. There is no other god but He. His knowledge extends over everything." (20:95-98)
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This was a supplication against him that no one should touch him in this life, as a punishment for his act. Another punishment is awaiting him in the hereafter. Thereafter Musa (as) publicly burned the calf.