Episode 5
Episode 5: Harun Explains Himself to an Angry Musa
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Musa returned from Mount Tur carrying the Torah and found his people worshipping the calf. He was filled with anger and grief. In his zeal for the religion of Allah, he rebuked his brother. Allah said, "And when Musa returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, 'How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]โฆ' And he seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Harun] said, 'O son of my mother, indeed the people overpowered me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people'" (Qur'an 7:150). In Surah Ta-Ha, Harun added why he had not acted more forcefully: "โฆIndeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel and did not observe my word'" (Qur'an 20:94). Harun had in fact acted to the limit of his ability, but restrained himself from a course that might split the people into two warring camps. On hearing the explanation, Musa's anger subsided, and he prayed for forgiveness for himself and his brother. Reflection: at times, preserving the unity of a people demands greater patience than harsh action. Harun chose to guard the community from schism while continuing to counsel. And a believer, though wronged by misunderstanding, still explains gently rather than answering with rage.
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Episode 6: The Merit of Harun and Allah's Praise