Page 96 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

94 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FROM THE QUR'AN

The Prophet Musa (as) Asks for Forgiveness
Musa chose seventy men from his people for Our appointed time
and when the earthquake seized them he said, 'My Lord, if You had
willed, You could have destroyed them previously and me as well.
Would you destroy us for what the fools among us did? It was only a
trial from You by which You misguided those You willed and guided
those You willed. You are our Protector so forgive us and have mercy
on us. You are the Best of Forgivers. Prescribe good for us in this world
and the hereafter. We have truly turned to You.' He said, 'As for My
punishment, I strike with it anyone I will. My mercy extends to all
things but I will prescribe it for those who guard against evil and pay
the welfare tax, and those who believe in Our Signs. (Surat al-A'raf,
155-156)
The Tribe of Israel Wrong Themselves
We divided them up into twelve tribes – communities. We revealed
to Musa, when his people asked him for water: 'Strike the rock with
your staff.' Twelve fountains flowed out from it and all the people
knew their drinking place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent
down manna and quails to them: 'Eat of the good things We have pro-
vided you with.' They did not wrong Us; rather it was themselves they
wronged. (Surat al-A'raf, 160)
And We shaded you with clouds and sent down manna and quails
to you: 'Eat of the good things We have provided for you.' They did not
wrong Us; rather it was themselves they were wronging. (Surat al-
Baqara, 57)
The People of Prophet Musa (as) Refuse to Follow Him
When they were told: 'Live in this town and eat of it wherever you
like and say, "Relieve us of our burdens!" and enter the gate prostrat-
ing. Your mistakes will be forgiven you. We will grant increase to
good-doers.' But those of them who did wrong substituted words
other than those they had been given. So We sent a plague on them
from heaven for their wrongdoing. (Surat al-A'raf, 161-162)
Remember when Musa said to his people, 'My people! Remember
Allah's blessing to you when He appointed Prophets among you and