The story of the Prophet Musa (Moses) and the golden calf - in the Quran

The story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the golden calf in the Quran is a well-known narrative that highlights the dangers of idolatry and the importance of following the guidance of God.

According to the Quran, after Prophet Musa was summoned by God to Mount Sinai, he left his brother Harun (Aaron) in charge of the Israelites. While Musa was gone for forty days, the Israelites grew restless and began to ask Harun to make for them an idol that they could worship.

Harun tried to dissuade them from this path, but they persisted and eventually he agreed to their request. He collected all their gold and fashioned a calf out of it. When Prophet Musa returned to the camp and saw what had happened, he became very angry and demanded an explanation from his brother.

In response, Harun explained that he was afraid the Israelites would kill him if he did not comply with their request. Musa rebuked him for not standing firm in his faith and reminded him that God had given them clear guidance.

Prophet Musa then took the golden calf, melted it down, and spread the molten metal across the surface of the water. He then commanded the Israelites to drink from the water, as a way of purifying themselves and atoning for their sins.

This story highlights the dangers of idolatry and the importance of following the guidance of God, even in the face of opposition and temptation. It also emphasizes the importance of standing firm in one's faith and not giving in to peer pressure or fear of persecution.

The story of the Prophet Musa (Moses) and the golden calf is mentioned in several verses throughout the Quran.

One example of a verse that mentions the story of the Prophet Musa (Moses) and the golden calf in the Quran is Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 51:

"And [recall] when We made an appointment with Musa (Moses) for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him, while you were wrongdoers."

Another example is Surah Al-A'raf, Verse 148:

"And the people of Musa (Moses) made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way [of right]? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers."

Surah Ta-Ha, Verse 88:

"[ Allah ] said, "But indeed, We have tried your people after you [departed], and the Samiri has led them astray.""

This verse refers to the incident where the Israelites, led by a man named Samiri, created the golden calf and started worshipping it in the absence of Prophet Musa (Moses). It suggests that the people were led astray by Samiri's influence and were put to trial as a result.

Surah Al-A'raf, Verse 148:

"And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers."

This verse describes how the Israelites, in the absence of Prophet Musa (Moses), created a golden calf from their ornaments and started worshipping it. The verse also highlights the futility of idol worship and the lack of guidance that these idols could provide to the people. It suggests that their act of worshipping the golden calf was a form of wrongdoing.

"And [mention] the Day We raised in every nation a witness against them from themselves. And We brought you, [O Muhammad], as a witness over your nation. And We sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims." (Quran 7:83)

Although this verse does not directly mention the story of the golden calf, it does allude to the fact that every nation was sent a messenger as a witness against them, including the Israelites and Prophet Musa (Moses) who was sent to them.

"And when We appointed for Moses forty nights, then you took to worshipping the calf after him, and you were unjust." (Quran 2:51)

In summary, the story tells of how the Israelites, after being led out of Egypt by Prophet Musa, began to worship a golden calf instead of Allah, and how Prophet Musa destroyed the calf and punished those who worshipped it. The story emphasizes the importance of worshipping only Allah and not associating partners with Him.