And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “Indeed, Allāhcommands you to slaughter a cow.” They said, “Do you take us in ridicule?” He said, “I seek refuge in Allāh from being among the ignorant.”
They said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is.” [Moses] said, “[Allāh] says, ‘It is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,’ so do what you are commanded.”
They said, “Call upon your Lord to show us what is her color.” He said, “He says, ‘It is a yellow cow, bright in color – pleasing to the observers.’ “
They said, “Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. Indeed, [all] cows look alike to us. And indeed we, if Allāh wills, will be guided.”
He said, “He says, ‘It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor to irrigate the field, one free from fault with no spot upon her.’ ” They said, “Now you have come with the truth.” So they slaughtered her, but they could hardly do it.
And [recall] when you slew a man and disputed over it, but Allāh was to bring out that which you were concealing.
So, We said, “Strike the slain man with part of it.” Thus does Allāh bring the dead to life, and He shows you His signs that you might reason.
