60- How Musa عليه السلام sought drinking water for his people needs to be recalled as he was commanded to strike the stone with his staff. Twelve springs burst forth and each tribe knew which spring belonged to it. They were then told to eat and drink freely from the generous provision provided to them by their Lord. And they were commanded to refrain from mischief on this Earth.
61- And recall when Bani Israel complained to Musa عليه السلام of getting tired with one kind of food and wanted Musa عليه السلام to ask Allah for variation from what the earth grows- the herbs, cucumbers, garlics, lentils, and onions.
Musa عليه السلام reprimanded them for seeking the earthly substitutes for the heavenly meals and told them to go find what they desire in any township. This caused them humiliation and indigence as they has brought their Lord’s wrath upon themselves purely for their disbelief in The revealed signs of the Lord and killed His Prophets without any right.
And they were so because of their disobedience towards their Lord and persistently transgressed His covenant.
62- As for the ones who believe in Islam, and Judaism, and the Christians, as well as the Sabians (followers of certain prophets) whoever had faith in Allah and believed in the Last Day and do works of righteousness in their lives, they shall be given their full reward by their Lord, and no fear nor grief will touch them.
63-64-65-66 Also recall the time when the pledge was taken from Bani Israel to fulfill the Covenant by taking hold of it with utmost power and Mount Tūr was lifted above them, and they were commanded to be mindful of what was prescribed in it, so that they could be truly God-fearing.
But they turned away from this, and had it not been for the Grace of their Lord and His Mercy, they would have lost paradise in the afterlife.
Indeed, the Children of Israel knew what became of those who violated the Sabbath- they were turned into apes as an exemplary punishment for the people of their time. That also became an addition for the succeeding generations.
67-68-69-70 Moreover, when Musa عليه السلام said to his people that Allah commands them to slaughter a cow in charitable sacrifice, they thought their Prophet was jesting with them. Musa عليه السلام sought refuse in his Lord from ever being of the ignorant who mock the Lord’s commands.
His people then asked him for clearer signs from Allah as to what sort of cow it may be. It was detailed to be neither old nor a calf but somewhere in the midrange. And they were commanded to follow the order.
The people asked Musa عليه السلام to confirm the colour of the cow from their Lord and they were told to select a yellow cow whose colour would gladden all the beholders.
Yet again, they told Musa عليه السلام to ask their Lord to clear their confusion because all cows appeared the same to them, and they wanted to be guided aright.
71- Musa عليه السلام said that that particular cow must not have been ever used to poke the land, nor to water the tillage, and the cow that was kept sound without any blemish. The people understood and acknowledged the truth their Prophet spoke and reluctantly went ahead and slaughtered the cow.
