The First Mistake: How Skepticism Turns Simple Obedience Into a Trial
The First Mistake: How Skepticism Turns Simple Obedience Into a Trial
Qur’an 2:67 teaches obedience without delay—true faith submits to Allah’s command without argument or mockery.
The Arabic Text
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تَذْبَحُوا بَقَرَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوًا ۖ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ
Transliteration
Wa-idh qāla Mūsā liqawmihi inna Llāha yaʾmurukum an tadhbaḥū baqarah qālū atattakhidhunā huzuwan qāla aʿūdhu bi-Llāhi an akūna mina l-jāhilīn
Simple English Translation
"And [remember] when Moses said to his people, 'Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.' They said, 'Do you take us in ridicule?' He said, 'I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant.'"
Full Explanation in Easy English
This verse begins the famous story of the Cow (Baqarah), which names the entire chapter. It introduces a critical theme: the human tendency to respond to clear divine commands with skepticism, evasion, and argumentation instead of immediate submission.
1. The Past: The First Response to a Simple Command
A Clear, Simple Command: Through Prophet Musa (Moses), Allah gave the Israelites a straightforward instruction: Slaughter a cow. This was not the main command (the full story unfolds in subsequent verses), but a preparatory act for solving a murder mystery and a test of their obedience.
The Suspicious, Confrontational Response: Instead of saying "We hear and we obey" (Sami'na wa ata'na), they replied with disbelief and accusation: "Do you take us in ridicule?" Their response showed:
Skepticism about the divine origin of the command.
Disrespect towards their Prophet, implying he was mocking them.
An argumentative spirit, looking for reasons to question rather than obey.
The Prophet's Exemplary Reaction: Musa's response was immediate and decisive: "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant." He distanced himself from their accusation and from the very trait of Jahiliyyah (ignorant arrogance) that their question embodied.
In the past, this exchange set the stage for a longer ordeal. Their initial reluctance to simply obey a clear order led to them making the command far more difficult for themselves, as the story continues.
2. The Present: Our "Do You Mock Us?" Moments
For us today, this verse is a mirror for how we often respond to Allah's commands in the Quran and Sunnah:
Questioning the "Why" Before Obeying the "Do": When confronted with an Islamic ruling, our first instinct is often not submission, but:
"Why would Allah command that?" (Questioning divine wisdom)
"That doesn't make sense in our time." (Prioritizing human logic over revelation)
"This is too hard/burdensome." (Prioritizing comfort over obedience)
This is the modern equivalent of "Do you take us in ridicule?"—it questions the validity and wisdom of the command itself.
Seeking Refuge in Ignorance: Like Prophet Musa, our duty is to seek refuge from the attitude of Jahiliyyah (ignorance). In this context, Jahiliyyah means:
Arrogance that places our judgment above Allah's.
The ignorance of not recognizing the inherent wisdom in every divine decree.
The lack of adab (manners) before Allah and His law.
The Simplicity Test: Many of Allah's commands are simple at their core: Pray, be honest, lower your gaze, eat halal, speak truth. We complicate them with endless doubts, justifications, and reluctance.
Today, this verse asks: When you hear a clear Islamic injunction, what is your first internal response? Is it immediate acceptance (taslim), or is it a skeptical question that delays or denies action?
3. The Future: Obedience as the Path and Evasion as the Obstacle
This initial response pattern has profound implications for our eternal future:
Obedience is the Key to Divine Help: In the story, their initial evasion led to more complications. In our lives, simple, prompt obedience to foundational commands (like prayer, hijab, avoiding interest) opens the door to Allah's help, clarity, and ease in more complex matters. Evasion creates spiritual blockage.
Accountability for Our Response: On the Day of Judgment, we will not be asked why Allah commanded something. We will be asked whether we obeyed or disobeyed. The argumentative, skeptical attitude displayed here will be a source of regret, not a valid excuse.
The State of the Heart: The story diagnoses a disease of the heart: a lack of khushu' (humble submission). Cultivating a heart that says "We hear and we obey" to Allah's commands is what prepares us for the ultimate submission of meeting Him. That state of heart is what leads to success in the Hereafter.
For the future, this verse teaches that our journey to Paradise begins with unquestioning obedience in principle. While Islam encourages understanding, the understanding comes with and after acceptance, not as a precondition for it. The path of argumentation and suspicion is the path of spiritual stagnation and potential ruin.
Summary for a Contemporary Audience
Imagine a master chef gives their apprentice one simple, direct instruction: "Add one cup of salt to this dish." The apprentice, instead of obeying, turns and asks the chef, "Are you joking? That will ruin it! Why would you say that?"
Your takeaway: Allah is the ultimate Master, and His commands are His perfect recipe for your spiritual success. When He commands you through the Quran and His Prophet—whether it's about worship, morality, or law—your first duty is trusting submission, not skeptical interrogation. The moment you respond with "Is this a joke?" or "Why this?" you adopt the attitude of ancient ignorance (Jahiliyyah) that Prophet Musa sought refuge from. Start with "I hear and I obey." The understanding of the profound wisdom behind the command will follow, and with it, the key to your peace in this life and your success in the next.