Araf 149 | aamsaafank's Blog

Araf 149

149- BUT WHEN THEY REALIZED THEIR ERROR AND SAW THAT THEY WENT THE WRONG WAY, THEY SAID: “UNLESS OUR LORD HAS MERCY UPON US, AND FORGIVE US WE WILL BE OF THE LOSERS”. 

When Moses went back and saw what his people did in making and worshipping the golden half, he rebuked them, and they realized that they had done wrong, and had gone badly astray, this was a time of regret, but the sin was too great.

They also realized that this sin coming from them was even greater.  This is because Allah the Highest does not forgive us for  worshiping partners besides him. That, after all the miracles they saw, and then they make their own idle and worship it.  Allah the Highest said: “ALLAH DOES NOT FORGIVE FOR PARTNERS TO BE WORSHIPPED BESIDES HIM, BUT FORGIVES WHATEVER ELSE FOR WHOM HE WILLS, FOR HE WHO WORSHIPS PARTNERS BESIDES HIM; HE HAS COMMITTED A GREAT SIN”.  (S: 4 A: 48)

Sinning is not all of the same degree, and the same sin can vary in degree under different circumstances.  The whole circumstances of the Children of Israel at the time made their sin very grave indeed.  Allah’s Mercy and forgiveness was their only hope, but this did not come without severe punishment on Earth, and that was to kill all those who worshipped the calf.  Allah the Highest , mentioned this in, Sorah Al-Baqarah saying: “AND AS MUSA SAID TO HIS PEOPLE: “O MY PEOPLE, YOU HAVE WRONGED YOUR OWN SOULS BY TAKING THE CALF (TO WORSHIP), REPENT TO YOUR LORD AND KILL YOURSELVES (THE GUILTY), THIS IS BETTER FOR YOU BEFORE YOUR CREATOR”.  THEN HE (ALLAH) FORGAVE YOU, FOR HE IS THE MOST FORGIVING, THE MOST MERCIFUL”.   (S: 2 A: 54)

This tells us that great sins attract great punishment, even if people realise their sin and repent.