Al-A'raf 138: We made the children of Israel pass the sea; there, they encountered people who were worshipping idols. Upon this, they said; “Oh Moses! Just as they are having deities, make for us a deity as well.” Moses said, “You truly are an ignorant nation.”

A. Metin Saruhan · 6 September 2017 · Al-A'raf

Translation

We made the children of Israel pass the sea; there, they encountered people who were worshipping idols. Upon this, they said; “Oh Moses! Just as they are having deities, make for us a deity as well.” Moses said, “You truly are an ignorant nation.”

Tafsir

Allah (swt) guided Hazrat Moses and his people safely across the sea to the opposite shore. The day the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea to the opposite shore was the day of Ashura and on that day Hazrat Moses and his people fasted. When the waters receded and his ship settled on Mount Judi, they also fasted on that day because their feet stepped on the land. Therefore, Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram and it is mustahabb to fast on that day.

On the shores of the Red Sea, Moses and his people saw some people worshipping idols made of cows. According to the narrations, this people were from the tribe of Lehm or the Canaanites. The Children of Israel said to Moses: O Moses! Make us an idol in the image of God like them and let us worship it. Upon this, Moses said: O people! You are indeed an ignorant people. You want to worship what you have made with your hands while Allah has bestowed so many blessings upon you. They are of no use to themselves.

What is said in the video

We have come to verse 138.

Verse 138 of Surah Al-A'raf. "We brought the Children of Israel across the sea; there they came upon a people worshipping certain idols of their own: they came upon such a people. Thereupon they said: 'O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods.' Moses said: 'Are you really an ignorant people?'" Yes, "You are truly an ignorant people," he said.

That one Allah, with those miracles, saved you from a punishment. He saved you from Pharaoh's oppression. He split the sea, you crossed to the other side. Now, in this way He equipped you with miracles beyond human power and saved you. How can you still (?) from those who worship idols? Yes, even a little; this shows that they are inside a circle of ignorance, it shows.

Allah Almighty brought Moses and his people across the sea alive (?) to the opposite shore and delivered them to safety. The day the Children of Israel crossed to the opposite shore of the Red Sea was, it is said, the day of Ashura. That day Moses and his people fasted. And Noah (peace be upon him), when the waters receded and his ship came to rest on Mount Judi, because their feet stepped on land, they too fasted on that day. For this reason the day of Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram, and fasting on that day is recommended. Yes, Moses and his people, on the shore of the Red Sea, some communities worshipping idols they made of (?) is what they see.

According to reports this people is the people of Lem (?), from that people, or from the Canaanites. The Children of Israel say to Moses (peace be upon him): "O Moses, like these, make us an idol as a likeness of God so that we may worship it." Thereupon Moses said: "O my people, you are truly an ignorant people. While Allah Almighty has bestowed so many blessings on you, you want to worship what you made with your own hands. They are of no use even to themselves." Yes.