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| the people of Israel and the Yellow Cow |
One day, a tragic event shook their community. A wealthy man from the Israelites was found murdered, and the identity of the killer was unknown. The people were alarmed, and disputes began to arise among them. They were desperate to uncover the truth and identify the perpetrator, so they approached Prophet Musa for guidance, asking him to seek Allah's wisdom in solving this mystery.
Prophet Musa prayed to Allah for a solution, and Allah commanded him with a peculiar instruction. Musa gathered the people and said, "Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow."
The people were taken aback. They were expecting a different solution, perhaps a direct revelation of the killer's identity. Instead, they were instructed to perform a seemingly unrelated task. In disbelief, they questioned Musa, "Are you making a mockery of us? Why should we slaughter a cow to solve a murder?"
Musa replied firmly, "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant. This is the command of your Lord. Obey it, and you will find the answer you seek."
Despite Musa’s clarification, the people were still hesitant. They didn't want to slaughter just any cow; they wanted more specifics. So they asked, "Call upon your Lord to clarify for us: What kind of cow should it be?"
Musa turned to Allah in prayer, and the answer came. He told them, "Allah says it should be neither an old cow nor a young calf, but of a middle age. Now do as you are commanded."
The people, still trying to evade the command, asked yet again, "What color should the cow be?"
Musa answered, "Your Lord says it should be a bright yellow cow, pleasing to the eye."
Now, the request was becoming more specific, and the people realized that Allah was testing their obedience. However, they still weren’t satisfied. They asked one last time, "Ask your Lord to make clear to us what it should be, for cows look alike to us. And indeed, if Allah wills, we will be guided."
Musa conveyed the final details from Allah: "It is a cow that is neither trained to till the soil nor to water the fields, free from any blemish."
The Israelites finally realized that they could no longer delay or question the command. They searched far and wide for a cow that matched the exact description provided by Musa. After an exhaustive search, they found a farmer who owned the perfect yellow cow. The cow was of a vibrant yellow color, pure and without blemish. However, the owner was reluctant to sell it, knowing that it was special and sensing its great value. The Israelites had to offer a significant sum of money before the farmer agreed to part with it.
With the cow now in their possession, the people of Israel brought it to Musa. He instructed them to slaughter the cow, and though they hesitated and were regretful for their delays, they obeyed. The cow was sacrificed according to Allah’s command.
Musa then told them, "Take a piece of the cow's meat and strike it on the dead man."
The people were puzzled by this instruction, but they did as they were told. As soon as they touched the body of the murdered man with the meat, something miraculous happened. The dead man was brought back to life by the will of Allah. He sat up, his eyes filled with amazement and gratitude for the life restored to him, even if only briefly.
In that moment of truth, the resurrected man revealed the identity of his murderer. It turned out to be his own nephew who had killed him out of greed, hoping to inherit his wealth. With the truth unveiled, the murderer was brought to justice, and the miraculous incident became a lesson for the entire community.
The people were left in awe of Allah's power, realizing that His commands, no matter how puzzling they may seem, always carry wisdom beyond human understanding. The story of the yellow cow was a test of faith and obedience. It served as a clear message to the Israelites about the importance of trusting in Allah's wisdom and following His commands without hesitation or doubt.
Lessons Derived from the Story
- Obedience to Divine Command:The Israelites initially hesitated and questioned the command given by Allah through Prophet Musa. Their delay and repeated questioning highlight the importance of obedience in matters of faith. The command to sacrifice a specific cow was not about the cow itself but about testing their submission to Allah's will.
- Wisdom in Allah's Commands:The story teaches us that Allah's commands are filled with wisdom, even if they do not make sense to us immediately. The murder case was solved in a way that no human investigation could have achieved, showing Allah's infinite wisdom.
- The Consequences of Doubt:The Israelites' reluctance to follow the command immediately led them to a more challenging task of finding the specific yellow cow. Their hesitation made a simple task more complicated, showing how doubting Allah's commands can lead to unnecessary hardships.
- Divine Justice:The miraculous resurrection of the murdered man was a demonstration of divine justice. It served as a warning to the Israelites that Allah is aware of all actions and can reveal the truth in His own time and way.
- Trust in Prophets:The people’s hesitation and questioning of Musa’s instructions show their lack of trust in their prophet’s guidance. This story emphasizes the importance of trusting the prophets and messengers of Allah, as they convey His divine will.
- Greed Leads to Destruction:The motive behind the murder was greed and desire for wealth. This act led to the murderer’s downfall and serves as a reminder that unlawful desires can lead to one’s destruction.