The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

The Heights
103
7: 144

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other people by [giving you] My messages and speaking to you: hold
on to what I have given you; be one of those who give thanks.’
145We inscribed everything for him in the Tablets which taught
and explained everything, saying, ‘Hold on to them 
firmly and urge
your people to hold fast to their excellent teachings. I will show you
the end of those who rebel. 
146I will keep distracted from My signs
those who behave arrogantly on Earth without any right, and who,
even if they see every sign, will not believe in them; they will not take
the way of right guidance if they see it, but will take the way of error
if they see that. This is because they denied Our signs and paid them
no heed: 
147the deeds of those who denied Our signs and the Meet-
ing of the Hereafter will come to nothing –
– why should they be
repaid for anything other than what they have done?’
148In his absence, Moses’ people took to worshipping a mere shape
that made sounds like a cow –
– a calf made from their jewellery.
Could they not see that it did not speak to them or guide them in any
way? Yet they took it for worship: they were evildoers. 
149When, with
much wringing of hands, they perceived that they were doing wrong,
they said, ‘If our Lord does not have mercy and forgive us, we shall
be the losers.’
150On his return to his people, angry and aggrieved,
Moses said, ‘How foul and evil is what you have done in my absence!
Were you so keen to bring your Lord’s judgement forward?’ He
threw the tablets down and seized his brother by the hair, pulling
him towards him. Aaron said, ‘Son of my mother, these people over-
powered me! They almost killed me! Do not give my enemies reason
to rejoice! Do not include me with these evildoers!’
151Moses said,
‘My Lord, forgive me and my brother; accept us into Your mercy:
You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy. 
152Those who
took to worshipping the calf will be a
fflicted by their Lord’s wrath,
and by disgrace in this life.’ This is the way We repay those who
invent such falsehoods, 
153but your Lord is most forgiving and most
merciful towards those who do wrong, then repent afterwards and
truly believe.
154When Moses’ anger abated, he picked up the Tablets, on
which were inscribed guidance and mercy for those who stood in awe
of their Lord. 
155Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our
appointment, and when they were seized by trembling, he prayed,
‘My Lord, if You had chosen to do so, You could have destroyed
them long before this, and me too, so will You now destroy us for
The Qur
an
7: 145
104

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what the foolish among us have done? This is only a trial from You –
–
through it, You cause whoever You will to stray and guide whoever
You will –
– and You are our Protector, so forgive us and have
mercy on us. You are the best of those who forgive. 
156Grant us good
things in this world and in the life to come. We turn to You.’ God
said, ‘I bring My punishment on whoever I will, but My mercy
encompasses all things.
‘I shall ordain My mercy for those who are conscious of God and
pay the prescribed alms; who believe in Our Revelations; 
157who
follow the Messenger –
– the unlettered
a
prophet they 
find described
in the Torah that is with them, and in the Gospel –
– who commands
them to do right and forbids them to do wrong, who makes good
things lawful to them and bad things unlawful, and relieves them of
their burdens, and the iron collars
b
that were on them. So it is those
who believe him, honour and help him, and who follow the light
which has been sent down with him, who will succeed.’
158Say
[Muhammad], ‘People, I am the Messenger of God to you all,
from Him who has control over the heavens and the earth. There
is no God but Him; He gives life and death, so believe in God and
His Messenger, the unlettered prophet who believes in God and His
words, and follow him so that you may 
find guidance.’
159There is a group among the people of Moses who guide with
truth, and who act justly according to it. 
160We divided them into
twelve tribes [as distinct] communities, and, when his people asked
him for water, inspired Moses to strike the rock with his sta
ff [so
that] twelve springs gushed out. Each tribe knew its own drinking
place; We gave them the shade of clouds and sent down to them
manna and quails [saying], ‘Eat the good things We have provided for
you.’ They did not wrong Us; it was themselves they wronged.
161When they were told, ‘Enter this town and eat freely there as you
will, but say, “Relieve us!” and enter its gate humbly: then We shall
forgive you your sins, and increase the reward of those who do good,’
162the wrongdoers among them substituted another saying for that
which had been given them, so We sent them a punishment from
heaven for their wrongdoing.