Demand to see Allah: Miraculous Death and Resurrection of Children of Israel

Demand to see Allah: Miraculous Death and Resurrection of Children of Israel

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 2003, p.231-233)

After the incidence of the worship of the golden calf, and killings ordered as a trial from Allah to seek repentance, The best among the Children of Israel; seventy men, i.e. the considerably better off in belief, asked prophet Musa (a.s.) to see Allah publicly as proof of His existence.

Prophet Musa (a.s.) had returned from his 40 nights of meeting with Allah (swt), and after the trial of the killings, he showed the Children of Israel the Tablets on which he had written the Tawrah. The words had been revealed to him from Allah (swt). The people refused to believe that they were Allah’s commandments and demanded to see Allah (swt) before their eyes. They did not take Prophet Musa’s (a.s.) word for it and inquired why Allah (swt) could not speak to them as he spoke to the Prophet.

This brought Allah’s wrath and anger upon them. They were struck by a bolt of lightning, some of them, while others watched, and all of them. Prophet Musa (a.s.) was devastated at their death and cried in supplication to Allah (swt), questioning why He killed the best of the Children of Israel and what would he tell the rest of the population that awaited. Allah (swt) is the All Knowledgeable, He revealed to Prophet Musa (a.s.) that the 70 men who were electrocuted were also guilty of worshipping the calf. Next, Allah (swt) began to show the miracle of His Mercy. He started bringing the men back to life, one by one, so each one got the chance to witness the resurrection.

After they were alive, Prophet Musa (a.s.) asked them to take the Book of Allah (swt) i.e. the Tawrah and carry out the commandments. They said, ‘No’. The prophet inquired about the matter. There are two opinions about why they refused:

(1) They felt that by witnessing the miracles they were compelled (coerced, forced) to believe, so they did not have to fulfill the commandments, and

(2) They were required to follow the commandments, so that no responsible adult is free of such responsibilities. Although they had witnessed the tremendous calamities (the killings) and incidents, this did not acquit them from carrying out the commandments.

Allah (swt) sent some angels and made them topple the mountain over them.

Worship of the Calf and the trial for repentance.

Worship of the Golden Calf and the trial for repentance

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 2003, p.228-230) 

Prophet Musa (a.s.) was summoned by Allah for a period of 40 days (30 days during Dhul Qa ‘dah and first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah), after being rescued from Fir ‘awn, to be enlightened and blessed with the Tawrah, the criteria for right and wrong. 

Meanwhile, the Children of Israel began worshipping the calf. Upon returning, prophet Musa (a.s.) announced to them the severity of their error. They realized the wrong and regretted and turned to Allah for repentance. 

Allah’s command to the Children of Israel was that their repentance would be to slay by the sword every person (wrongdoer, who worshipped the calf) without being concerned about whom they kill. Prophets Musa and Harun (Aaron) (a.s.) were unaware of who was guilty and who was innocent. 

When prophet Musa (a.s.) received Allah’s command, he ordered those who had confessed their guilt to sit down and those who hadn’t to arm themselves with knives and stand. A great darkness overshadowed them as they began killing and 70,000 were dead when the dark lifted. 

Allah, the Most Merciful, had forgiven them all, those who died and those who lived. The killing was a great trial for seeking repentance.