Chapter Two: Expiation of Sins Occurs Only Through Punishment

The matter of the Children of Israel is strange, and their story is peculiar. Through the path of the Torah, Allah revealed clear signs to them and brought them miracles and signs so that they might submit to Him and be content with His portion. But they refused, except for disbelief and tyranny. So, the Master made them taste the punishment. One of the strangest of those punishments was when they worshipped the calf. It is mentioned in the commentary of our Master Al-‘Askarī (may his glory be exalted) in the exegesis of His saying, Glorious is He who speaks:

{[recall] when Moses said to his people, 'O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So, repent to your Creator and kill yourselves. That is best for you in the sight of your Creator.' Then He accepted your repentance. Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. And [recall] when you said, 'O Moses, we will not believe you until we see Allah outright'; so, the thunderbolt seized you while you were looking. Then We revived you after your death that perhaps you would be grateful.}

The Imām (may his glory be exalted) said: Allah, Exalted and Almighty, said: And remember, O Children of Israel, {when Moses said to his people} the calf worshippers {O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves} you harmed yourselves {by your taking of the calf} as a god {So repent to your Creator} the One who created and shaped you {and kill yourselves} by some of you killing others, those who did not worship the calf killing those who did. {That is best for you} that killing is best for you {in the sight of your Creator} than for you to live in this world without Him having forgiven you, so that your life in the worldly life is completed and your destination is the Fire. And if you are killed while you are repentant, Allah, Exalted and Almighty, will make the killing your expiation, and make Paradise your abode and resting place. Then Allah, Exalted and Almighty, said: {Then He accepted your repentance} He accepted your repentance, before the killing of all of you was fully carried out and before it encompassed all of you. And He gave you respite for repentance, and He preserved you for obedience. {Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.}