Surah al-A`raf (The Elevated Places) 7 : 151

Overview (Verses 150 - 151)

A Sad Return for Moses

All this took place when Moses was with his Lord, addressing his appeal to Him. He was unaware of what his people had done in his absence. At this point, scene eleven is raised before our eyes: “When Moses returned to his people, full of wrath and sorrow, he said: ‘What an evil thing you have done in my absence! Have you tried to hurry up your Lord’s command?’ He put down the tablets and, seizing his brother by the head, he pulled him to himself. Cried Aaron, ‘Son of my mother, the people felt I was weak and they almost killed me. Do not let our enemies rejoice over my affliction, and do not count me among the evil-doing folk.’ Said [Moses]: ‘My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us to Your grace: for You are indeed the most merciful of those who are merciful.‘“ (Verses (Verses 150-151)

We see how terribly angry Moses was. Anger can be felt in both what he said and did, particularly seizing his brother by the head and dragging him: “’What an evil thing you have done in my absence! Have you tried to hurry up your Lord’s command?’ Seizing his brother by the head, he pulled him to himself” (Verse 150)

Yet it was only right that Moses should feel very angry. He had received a terrible shock and a painful surprise. Hence he exclaimed: “What an evil thing you have done in my absence!” (Verse 150) I left you following right guidance, and you relapsed into error. Before I left, you were worshipping God alone, and while I was away you took to the worship of a mere lifeless calf that gave a lowing sound. “Have you tried to hurry up your Lord’s command?” (Verse 150) This could mean that they were trying to hurry God’s judgements and punishment, or it could mean that they tried to hasten his appointment.

“He put down the tablets and, seizing his brother by the head, he pulled him to himself” (Verse 150) This is a very strong reaction. Those tablets contained the law God had given him. Moses would not put those tablets down except in a state of extreme anger which caused him to lose control of himself. Again, dragging his brother by the head is indicative of the same reaction, because Aaron was a noble Prophet, full of faith and piety.

Aaron appeals to the bond of brotherhood that he had with Moses, in order to cool his temper. He explained his attitude and that he spared no effort in trying to give good counsel to his people: “Cried Aaron, ‘Son of my mother, the people felt I was weak and they almost killed me.’“ (Verse 150)

This statement gives us an impression of how the Israelites scrambled to worship the golden calf. They almost killed Aaron when he tried to restrain them. “Son of my mother!” That address is an appeal to a bond of compassion. “The people felt I was weak and they almost killed me.” (Verse 150) That is a vivid description of his own attitude. “Do not let our enemies rejoice over my affliction.” (Verse 150) Again, Aaron is appealing to a bond that should ensure mutual support between the two brothers, because their enemies would gloat over his affliction.

“And do not count me among the evil-doing folk.” (Verse 150) I did not share in their error or evil deeds. I dissociated myself from their action.

At this point, Moses begins to cool down, because his brother did not meet anger with anger. He simply explained himself and his attitude. Therefore, Moses turns to his Lord and seeks forgiveness for himself and his brother from the most merciful. “Said [Moses]: ‘My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us to Your grace: for You are indeed the most merciful of those who are merciful...’” (Verse 151)