but he [used the molten jewellery to] produce an image of a calf which made a lowing sound, and they said, ‘This is your god and Moses’ god, but he has forgotten.’

Translation 1260

Did they not see that [the calf] gave them no answer, that it had no power to harm or benefit them

Translation 1260

Aaron did say to them, ‘My people, this calf is a test for you. Your true Lord is the Lord of Mercy, so follow me and obey my orders,’

Translation 1260

but they replied, ‘We shall not give up our devotion to it until Moses returns to us.’

Translation 1260

Moses said, ‘When you realized they had gone astray, what prevented you, Aaron

Translation 1260

from coming after me? How could you disobey my orders?’

Translation 1260

He said, ‘Son of my mother- let go of my beard and my hair!- I was afraid you would say, “You have caused division among the children of Israel and have not heeded what I said.”’

Translation 1260

Moses said, ‘And what was the matter with you, Samiri?’

Translation 1260

He replied, ‘I saw something they did not; I took in some of the teachings of the Messenger but tossed them aside: my soul prompted me to do what I did.’

Translation 1260

Moses said, ‘Get away from here! Your lot in this life is to say, “Do not touch me,” but you have an appointment from which there is no escape. Look at your god which you have kept on worshipping- we shall grind it down and scatter it into the sea

Translation 1260

[People], your true god is the One God- there is no god but Him- whose knowledge embraces everything.’

Translation 1260