7. Al-A'raaf

(And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh's folk) from Pharaoh and his people (who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaughtering your sons) your little sons (and sparing) and using (your women) your grown up women. (That) your deliverance (was a tremendous trial) blessing (from your Lord) it is also said that this means: there is in His punishment a tremendous test.

(And when We did appoint for Moses) to spend in the mountain (thirty nights (of solitude)) the month of the Dhu'l-Qa'dah, (and added to them ten) days from the month of Dhu'l-Hijjah, (and he completed the whole time appointed by his Lord of forty nights) as he promised; (and Moses said unto his brother: Take my place) be my deputy (among the people. Do right) enjoin them to do right, (and follow not the way of mischief-makers) by committing transgressions.

(And when Moses came to Our appointed tryst) in Midian (and his Lord had spoken unto him, he said: My Lord! Show me (Thy self)) he wished to see Allah, (that I may gaze upon Thee. He) Allah (said: Thou wilt not see Me) you will not be able to see me in the life of this world, O Moses, (but gaze upon the mountain) the highest mountain in Midian! (If it stand still in its place) if the mountain stands still when seeing Me, (then thou wilt see Me) then may be you will see Me. (And when his Lord revealed (His) glory to the mountain) to Mount Zubayr (He sent it crashing down. And Moses fell down senseless) he passed out. (And when he woke) from his fainting (he said: Glory unto Thee!) he glorified His Lord (I turn unto Thee repentant) from asking to see You, (and I am the first of (true) believers) that you will not be seen in the life of this world.

(He said: O Moses! I have preferred thee above mankind) above the Children of Israel (by My messages and by My speaking (unto thee). So hold that which I have given thee) act upon that which I have given you, (and be among the thankful) that I chose to speak to you from among all people.

(And We wrote for him, upon the tablets, the lesson) the prohibition (to be drawn from all things and the explanation of all things) of the lawful and the unlawful, commands and prohibitions, (then (bade him): Hold it fast) act upon it seriously and diligently; (and command your people (saying): Take the better (course made clear) therein) act upon that which is unambiguous and believe in that which is ambiguous. (I shall show thee the abode of evil-livers) the abode of the transgressors which is hell; it is also said that this refers to Iraq, just as it is said that it refers to Egypt.

(Those who deny Our revelations) those who disbelieve in Our Scripture and Messenger (and the meeting of the Hereafter) and disbelieve in resurrection after death, (their works are fruitless) their good deeds are nullified due to their idolatry. (Are they requited) that which they are requited of in the Hereafter (aught save what they used to do) and say of evil in the life of this world?

(And the folk of Moses, after (he had left them)) to go in retreat in the mountain, (chose) made (a calf (for worship), (made) out of their ornaments, of saffron hue) of their gold, (which gave a lowing sound) a sound that the Samiri made for them. (Saw they not) did the people of Moses not know (that it spake not unto them) i.e. the calf (nor guided them to any way? They chose it) they worshipped the calf out of ignorance, (and became wrong-doers) and they harmed themselves by worshipping it.

(And when they feared the consequences thereof) and when they regretted having worshipped the calf (and saw) and knew and were certain (that they had gone astray) from the Truth and guidance, (they said: Unless our Lord have mercy on us and forgive us) and hence torment us, (we verily are of the lost) by receiving the punishment.

(And when Moses returned unto his people, angry and grieved) when he heard the voice of sedition, (he said: Evil is that (course) which ye took after I had left you) evil is what you did by worshipping the calf after I went to the mountain. (Would ye hasten on the judgement of your Lord) would you hasten by worshipping the calf the promise of your Lord? (And he cast down the tablets) from his hand and two of them were broken, (and he seized his brother by the head) i.e. by Aaron's hair, (dragging him towards him. He) Aaron (said: Son of my mother!) they were full brothers, but he mentioned their mother so that Moses might be gentle with him (Lo! the folk did judge me weak) humiliated me (and almost killed me) due to my opposition. (Oh, make not mine enemies to triumph over me) make not the enemy, the folk of the calf, spite me (and place me not among the evil-doers!) do not harm me because of the folk of the calf.