قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكَ يَـٰسَـٰمِرِىُّ 95
Translations
[Moses] said, "And what is your case, O Sāmirī?"
Transliteration
Qāla famā khạtbuka yā Sāmirī
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah's Messenger Musa (Moses) asks As-Samiri, 'What is your case?' or 'What is your excuse?' after discovering the golden calf idol that Samiri had craftily created during Musa's absence. This question is posed with divine authority, giving Samiri the opportunity to respond before his punishment is decreed. According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this rhetorical question emphasizes the gravity of Samiri's transgression and his betrayal of the covenant, while also demonstrating Musa's measured approach in demanding an explanation before judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Taha (verses 83-98), which describes the incident of the golden calf created while Prophet Musa was receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai for forty nights. The Qur'an presents this as a test of faith for the Children of Israel, and Samiri's deception represents a severe breach of monotheistic commitment. The context reveals how even among those who witnessed miracles, some fell into idolatry.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this verse, the incident is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim in various ahadith discussing the golden calf. A relevant hadith from Sahih Muslim describes how the calf was made from the ornaments of the Israelites and could produce a lowing sound, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Samiri's creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that our actions are never hidden from Allah, and we must be prepared to answer for our choices; it also reminds us that even those granted miracles and divine guidance can fall into grave sin through deception and abandonment of monotheism, serving as a cautionary tale against spiritual arrogance and heedlessness.