Those Who Die Then Live Again: Children of Israel and Cows (2/5)

The events of human life again are the story of the children of Israel with female cows. It began when the Israelites found someone killed. But it is not known who the killer was. Immediately they bestowed the deed on one of them. Be the main suspect.

Looking for Cows

Then one of them said, there was Moses in our midst. Go to him, because he is a prophet and surely he knows. They went to Moses and asked about who was the mysterious killer.

Although a prophet and apostle, Moses did not know about occult matters. Those who know about occult matters are only Allah. Then with His wisdom, Allah saja did not just tell them who the killer was. He ﷻ tested the people of Israel with a command. Whether when they are in need they will draw closer to God and obey Him, or vice versa. Allah ﷻ says,

وإذ قال موسى لقومه إن الله يأمركم أن تذبحوا بقرة قالوا أتتخذنا هزوا قال أعوذ بالله أن أكون من الجاهلين

And (remember), when Moses said to his people: “Verily Allah commanded you to slay a female cow”. They said: “Do you want to make us a mockery?” Moses replied: “I take refuge in Allah so that I do not become one of the ignorant people”. (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 67).

The views of the people of Israel as people worship today. All must be in accordance with logic. Though the logic ability is very narrow. According to the children of Israel, we ask to be told who is the murderer? Koq was even told to slaughter a female cow. Do you want to make us a mockery, O Moses? “

This command could also be intended to eliminate the confusion that exists in their minds. Because before they worshiped cows. So Allah commanded to slaughter cows.

From here we can learn lessons, the main purpose of the Shari’a is to be obeyed, not to be ignored first. Muslim women are ordered to wear headscarves to avoid interference. Logic worshipers say, if he is a woman who is not attractive so that no one is interested in teasing her, can she take off the headscarf? The answer is no, because the main purpose of wearing a headscarf is to obey Allah and His Messenger. Likewise with other Shari’a.

The children of Israel began asking about the female cow.

قالوا ادع لنا ربك يبين لنا ما هي قال إنه يقول إنها بقرة لا فارض ولا بكر عوان بين ذلك فافعلوا ما تؤمرون

They replied: “Ask your Lord for us, that He may explain to us; what is a female cow ” Moses replied: “Verily Allah says that the female cow is a female cow that is not old and not young; midway between it; then do what you are told “. (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 68).

After previously arguing, they finally accepted. This nature is certainly very different from the nature of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ. They never questioned the order of the Prophet apalagi, let alone deny it.

The Children of Israel began to question the cow as what God wanted. They burden themselves, even though God only commands enough cows. Then called … the cow is normal; not too old, not too young. The ordinary one.

Cows that can turn dead people off are certainly not ordinary cows. Of course there are more important specifications about it. They also asked about the color of the cow.

قَالُوا ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّنْ لَنَا مَا لَوْنُهَا ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ صَفْرَاءُ فَاقِعٌ لَوْنُهَا تَسُرُّ النَّاظِرِينَ

They said: “Ask your Lord for us so that He will explain to us what the color is.” Moses replied: “Verily, Allah said that the female cow was a yellow female cow, whose color was dark yellow, again pleasing those who looked at it.” (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 69).

After the color is answered, they don’t feel enough. They kept over about the requirements that were originally very simple. Add more requirements, because it’s not special enough.

قَالُوا ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّنْ لَنَا مَا هِيَ إِنَّ الْبَقَرَ عَلَيْنَا وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَمُهْتَدُونَ

They said: “Ask your Lord for us so that He will explain to us the nature of the female cow, because the cow is actually (still) vague for us and in fact, God willing, we will get a clue (to get the cow)”. (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 70).

Moses answered,

قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ لَا ذَلُولٌ تُثِيرُ الْأَرْضَ وَلَا تَسْقِي الْحَرْثَ مُسَلَّمَةٌ لَا شِيَةَ فِيهَا ۚ قَالُوا الْآنَ جِئْتَ بِالْحَقِّ ۚ

Moses said: “Verily, Allah said that the female cow was a female cow that had never been used to plow the land and not to irrigate plants, without blemishes, no stripes”. They said: “Now you will explain the true nature of the female cow.” (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 71).

Only the conditions are enough for them. They set off looking for it.

If from the beginning they slaughtered a female cow, what kind of female cow, then they had fulfilled God’s command. But they are troubling themselves. They ask what kind of female cow? Answered a female cow who is not old and not young. They question the color. Answered the yellow female cow. The dark yellow one. Not only is it amber, but it is also pleasing to the people who look at it. Then they asked for other conditions. Answered the female cow is a female cow that has never been used to plow the land and not to irrigate crops, without blemishes, nor any stripes.

They also find it difficult to find a special cow. A cow that can revive a dead person. Although finally got it.

فَذَبَحُوهَا وَمَا كَادُوا يَفْعَلُونَ

“Then they slaughtered it and almost they did not carry out the command.” (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 71).

This is the bad character of the children of Israel that the Prophet warned of ﷺ in his words,

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: ما نهيتكم عنه فاجتنبوه, وما أمرتكم به فأتوا منه ما استطعتم, فإنما أهلك الذين من قبلكم كثرة مسائلهم واختلافهم على أنبيائهم.

From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu anhu, he said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,‘ Whatever I forbid you, then stay away. And whatever I command you, then do what you can. Indeed, what destroys the people before you is simply because they ask a lot of questions and sneak in their Prophets. “(Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Allah also forbids us to ask a lot about something that is sufficient in the Shari’a.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِنْ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ

“O ye who believe, do not ask (to your Prophet) things that if explained to you will cause you trouble …” (QS: Al-Maidah | Verse: 101).

The Children of Israel made it difficult for themselves, God also made them feel difficulties. The cattle seller asks for the price of cattle to be paid a large amount of gold. They collected their gold, then paid for it. After that they gave the cow to Moses, and Moses slaughtered it.

Moses’ Peace be upon him took one part of the body of the cow – which part was not explained. There are those who mention adz-dzira ‘ie calf calves up to the top of the foot. There are also those who claim the cow’s thighs. Moses struck the cow’s body to the corpse, with the power of God ﷻ the body came back to life.

وَإِذْ قَتَلْتُمْ نَفْسًا فَادَّارَأْتُمْ فِيهَا ۖ وَاللَّهُ مُخْرِجٌ مَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ. فَقُلْنَا اضْرِبُوهُ بِبَعْضِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُحْيِي اللَّهُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَيُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

“And (remember), when you killed a man then you accused each other of that. And God wants to reveal what you have been hiding. Then We said: “Beat the corpse with a portion of the female cow!” So God revived the dead, and showed you the signs of His power so that you understood. “(QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 72-73).

Moses said, “Now he himself will tell you who killed him.” Then the person who came back to life mentioned who was the killer. After that, he was again converted (al-Khomis, 2010: 391).

Cover

Allah uasa rules over everything. He was able to invent humans, before there was absolutely nothing. He is able to bring to life a dead man, so that humans experience twice life in the world. And He ﷻ is also able to raise up humans later on the Day of Judgment. Loss and regret those who deny the resurrection day. How disappointed those who believe in the resurrection, but do not do good deeds prepare it.

Those Who Die Then Live Again: The Children of Israel ask to be shown by Allah (1/5)

In the Qur’an, in Surat Al-Baqarah, there are five extraordinary events. Events that show that God ﷻ is the master of the universe. He does whatever he wants. He is the Able and Power of all things. And He is the only one worthy of worship.

That event is the return of the soul of a living being who has died. In the hereafter? No, this is happening in the world. And it happened to the previous people. So that people afterwards can take lessons. Of course we should do it, because God ekali has provided us with reason.

The first event was the incident about the presumptuousness of the Children of Israel from the people of the Prophet Moses. They ask to be shown by God ﷻ. Allah ﷻ says,

وإذ قال موسى لقومه يا قوم إنكم ظلمتم أنفسكم باتخاذكم العجل فتوبوا إلى بارئكم فاقتلوا أنفسكم ذلكم خير لكم عند بارئكم فتاب عليكم إنه هو التواب الرحيم. وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً فَأَخَذَتْكُمُ الصَّاعِقَةُ وَأَنْتُمْ تَنْظُرُونَ. ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“And (remember), when Moses said to his people:” O my people, verily you have persecuted yourself because you have made calves (your worship), then repent to the Lord who made you and killed you. It is better for you in the sight of the Lord who made you; then God will accept your repentance. Verily He is the Receiver of repentance, the Most Merciful. And (remember), when you say: “Moses, we will not believe in you before we see God in light, therefore you are struck by lightning, while you are watching”. After that We raise you up after you die, so that you will be grateful. “(QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 56).

Beginning of the story

This story begins when the Prophet Musa “peace be upon him was called by God” to receive revelation. Before heading to His Lord, Moses entrusted the children of Israel to his brother, Harun aih alaihissalam. So that Aaron would supervise, educate and guide them. And don’t let them turn to kufr. Moreover, the signs of deviation were seen when they had just survived the ocean and watched as Pharaoh was destroyed. Banu Israel said,

وجاوزنا ببني إسرائيل البحر فأتوا على قوم يعكفون على أصنام لهم قالوا يا موسى اجعل لنا إلها كما لهم آلهة قال إنكم قوم تجهلون

And We stretched out the Children of Israel across the sea, so that when they came to a people who continued to worship their idols, Banu Israel said: “O Moses. make for us a god (idols) as they have some God (idols) “. Moses replied: “Indeed you are a people who do not know (the attributes of God)”. (QS: Al-A’raf | Verse: 138).

Sure enough, the children of Israel manifested Moses’ concern. Great pleasure from God amatkan saved from Pharaoh was forgotten. Look at one of the people of the Prophet Moses named Samiri. He is not an Israeli. But he was able to influence them with the imaginary story of his lust. Samiri invited the children of Israel to worship a golden idol in the form of a cow. Allah ﷻ says,

وَإِذْ وَاعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ اتَّخَذْتُمُ الْعِجْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَأَنْتُمْ ظَالِمُونَ

“And (remember), when We promised Moses (giving the Torah, after) forty nights, then you made calves (worship) after he left and you were wrongdoers.” (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 51 )

When the Israelites fled Pharaoh, some of them stole gold from the land of Egypt. Then after crossing the sea, Moses ordered that the gold be thrown away, because the property was not lawful for them. Allah ikan enshrines it in His word,

قَالُوا مَا أَخْلَفْنَا مَوْعِدَكَ بِمَلْكِنَا وَلَٰكِنَّا حُمِّلْنَا أَوْزَارًا مِنْ زِينَةِ الْقَوْمِ فَقَذَفْنَاهَا فَكَذَٰلِكَ أَلْقَى السَّامِرِيُّ

They said: “We never violated your agreement with our own will, but we were told to carry the burdens of the jewelry of the people, so we threw it, and so Samiri threw it”. (QS: Thaahaa | Verse: 87).

Samiri collected the gold and made it a statue of a cow. A statue that when the air enters through the back, a sound will emerge from the mouth of the cow statue. The Children of Israel were amazed by the object.

Samiri said to them, “This is the God of Moses. God he went to meet him. “(Al-Khomis, 2010: 385). Allah ﷻ says,

فَأَخْرَجَ لَهُمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَهُ خُوَارٌ فَقَالُوا هَٰذَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُ مُوسَىٰ فَنَسِيَ

“Then Samiri issued for them (from that hole) the calf who had a body and voice, then they said:” This is your Lord and the Lord Moses, but Moses has forgotten “.” (QS: Thaahaa | Verse: 88).

How fast they slip. Even though they have witnessed the power of God with their senses. Their eyes see what happened. The ears heard his roar. Their skin feels the atmosphere. But the denial still happened. Likewise this people, the people who have been sent as well as possible envoys, Muhammad ﷺ. The people who have been explained to them the Qur’an. The eyes and ears of this people have heard what happened to the previous people. It will also slip if they are negligent from obedience. The Prophet, said,

بَادِرُوا بِالأَعْمَالِ فِتَنًا كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ مُؤْمِنًا كَافِرًا أَوْ يُمْسِى مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا

“Hurry to practice the prayer before coming slander (calamity) like a dark night piece. That is, someone in the morning is in a state of faith and in the afternoon is in an infidel state. Some are in the evening in a state of faith and in the morning in an infidel state … “(Narrated by Muslim no. 118).

Upon returning from receiving revelation, Moses saw a very bad event. He is very angry. Without realizing it, he cast the revelation he had just received. Revelation that contains kalamullah.

وَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مُوسَىٰ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ غَضْبَانَ أَسِفًا قَالَ بِئْسَمَا خَلَفْتُمُونِي مِنْ بَعْدِي ۖ أَعَجِلْتُمْ أَمْرَ رَبِّكُمْ ۖ وَأَلْقَى الْأَلْوَاحَ

And when Moses returned to his people with anger and sorrow, he said, “How bad you did after my departure! Do you want to overtake the promise of your Lord? And Moses threw down the Torah (Torah) … “(QS: Al-A’raf | Verse: 150)

Then he met his brother Harun whom he had entrusted to look after his people.

وَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِ أَخِيهِ يَجُرُّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ

“… and (Moses) holding (the hair) of his brother’s head (Aaron) while grabbing him towards him …” (QS: Al-A’raf | Verse: 150).

The Children of Israel did not dare to do this bad deed when Moses aih Peace be upon them in the midst of them. They were very afraid of Moses. Because Moses was a hard and firm person towards them. As for Aaron, he was a meek man. So when Harun ‘alaihissalam alone, they dared to intimidate him.

قَالَ ابْنَ أُمَّ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ اسْتَضْعَفُونِي وَكَادُوا يَقْتُلُونَنِي فَلَا تُشْمِتْ بِيَ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينِ

“… Aaron said:” O son of my mother, in fact this people has considered me weak and almost killed me, therefore do not make enemies happy to see me, and do not put me into the wrongdoers. “( QS: Al-A’raf | Verse: 150).

The arrival of the Prophet Moses, especially in a state of anger, made the Children of Israel quit their actions. Although this kesyirikan is very much, but they did not dare to face the Prophet Moses alone. Moses was an authoritative man again firm. Then the children of Israel complained that save the culprit.

Moses met Samiri and asked him about this incident.

قَالَ بَصُرْتُ بِمَا لَمْ يَبْصُرُوا بِهِ فَقَبَضْتُ قَبْضَةً مِنْ أَثَرِ الرَّسُولِ فَنَبَذْتُهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ سَوَّلَتْ لِي نَفْسِي

Samiri replied: “I knew something they did not know, so I took a handful from the footsteps of the apostle and I threw it, and so my passion persuaded me”. (QS: Thaahaa | Verse: 96).

The Apostle is Gabriel. Samiri saw Gabriel riding his horse, as soon as the Israelites came out of the divided sea. When Pharaoh and his army were killed by waves (as-Sa’di, 2003: 484).

Did Moses know what really happened. And the voice that came out of the statue of the ox was because it had been used by the horse Gabriel (al-Khomis, 2010: 387). Then the Prophet Moses burned the idol. The cow statue was destroyed.

The Children of Israel Ordered Repentance

They said, “We repent, O Moses”. Prophet Moses replied, “kill yourself (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 54)”. At God’s command, there is darkness and light. Then those who repented were fighting each other (killing each other). Some say up to 70,000 of them were killed. This is repentance by Allah for them. For the cruel sins they committed after the gift of victory over Pharaoh.

We must thank God ﷻ. Because we get special treatment. The early people immediately got adzab when they were kufr. Unlike the people of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Allah unda postponed adzab to the people of this age. There is a strong time to repent. If they repent, their sins will be blotted out. And for them reward in the hereafter.

Then the darkness vanished. The Children of Israel said, “O Moses, has Allah accepted our repentance?” Moses replied, “Allah has accepted your repentance. But I will choose some of you. “

وَاخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِمِيقَاتِنَا ۖ

“And Moses chose seventy people from his people to (beg for repentance to Us) at the time We have determined …” (QS: Al-A’raf | Verse: 155).

Moses also invited 70 of the best of the children of Israel to go. Moses said to them, “Wait, I am going to stand before my Rabb”. They responded, “Did we also hear the words of your Rabb? We must also hear it. “

Moses said, “Come along with me.” Look at how sad Moses is for them and how presumptuous they are to Allah and His Messenger.

Moses had a prayer to Allah and Allah had a dialogue with him. 70 people heard the word of God. Then with no adab, they again spoke up, “O Moses, who is it that is talking to You?” Moses replied, “He is my Rabb”. Then they answered,

يَا مُوسَىٰ لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً

“O Moses, we will not believe in you before we see God in truth …” (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 55).

Pay attention! This is the state of the best people of the people of Prophet Moses. How bad they are. How else are the people under their position. Certainly much worse and rough. However, how affection and patience, one of the apostles who was dubbed ulul Azmi faced them. Allah ﷻ says,

وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً فَأَخَذَتْكُمُ الصَّاعِقَةُ وَأَنْتُمْ تَنْظُرُونَ

And (remember), when you say: “Moses, we will not believe in you before we see God in light, therefore you are struck by lightning, while you are watching”. (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 55).

70 of the best of the children of Israel also perished.

This incident again shows the noble character of the Prophet Moses ‘Peace be upon him. How much he loves his people. Moses said, “O my Lord, what should I say to the children of Israel when I go home and meet them? Do I have to say, ‘God has destroyed 70 people’? O God, revive them and accept their repentance.

The Prophet Moses did not want this situation to further make his people distorted. And Allah un Forgiving, He forgives those whom He gives pleasure in succession, but still denies as much to Him. Then God revived them for the second time.

ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“After that We raise you up after you die, so that you will be grateful.” (QS: Al-Baqarah | Verse: 56).

This is the first group, who died then came back to life. They experience twice life in the world.