قَالُوا۟ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِىَ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ لَّا فَارِضٌ وَلَا بِكْرٌ عَوَانٌۢ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ فَٱفْعَلُوا۟ مَا تُؤْمَرُونَ 68
Translations
They said, "Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is." [Moses] said, "[Allāh] says, 'It is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,' so do what you are commanded."
Transliteration
Qāloo id'u lanā rabbaka yubayyinyn lanā mā hiya qāla innahū yaqūlu innahā baqaratun lā fāridun wa lā bikrun 'awānun bayyna dhālik faaf'alū mā tu'murun
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Israelites ask Musa to clarify which cow they should slaughter, and Allah responds through him that it should be a cow that is neither old (faridah) nor young (bikr), but in between years—a middle-aged cow ('awān). This ayah illustrates the people's hesitation and the precision of Allah's commands; Ibn Kathir notes that their repeated questioning was a test of obedience, and Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that Allah's specifications became progressively stricter with each question to demonstrate their stubbornness.
Revelation Context
This ayah continues the narrative of Surah Al-Baqarah regarding the Israelites' obligation to slaughter a cow as expiation for a murder case. The Medinan revelation addresses the Children of Israel's historical lack of obedience and their tendency to question divine commands, serving as a lesson for the Muslim community about prompt submission to Allah's will.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3397): Narrated Ibn Abbas that the Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who learn Quran and teach it.' This relates thematically to the importance of seeking clarification of divine commands, though not directly about this specific incident.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that while seeking clarification of Allah's commands is permissible, persistent questioning and delay in obedience reflects a lack of trust in Divine wisdom. Believers should strive for prompt, wholehearted submission to Allah's will rather than exhausting conditions that may mask hidden disobedience.